Terry Gibson hails Lionel Messi's performance against Espanyol
Tuesday 20 December 2016 12:00, UK
Sky Sports Spanish football expert Terry Gibson has hailed Lionel Messi's sensational display for Barcelona against Espanyol on Sunday.
An inspired Messi provided two assists in two second-half minutes before adding a late goal in Barca's 4-1 victory over their local rivals at the Nou Camp.
Luis Enrique's side had drawn their previous two home league games and Gibson believes a combination of their poor form and a desire to beat their cross-town opponents prompted Messi's performance.
"I love watching football, I love playing football, but every now and then something comes up that just elevates it - one individual highlight, one piece of skill, something completely out of the ordinary," Gibson said on the La Liga Weekly podcast.
"We see great goals, great passes and great players, and they make you realise that's the reason I watch 10 games every weekend.
"You watch in the hope you might see something spectacular and that's what we saw against Espanyol. It wasn't just Messi either, because Andres Iniesta was superb too."
Espanyol had kept seven clean sheets in their previous nine league games before defeat to Barca, with victory moving Enrique's side three points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
"There's an obvious rivalry and the fixtures in the last few seasons have become really aggressive," Gibson continued. "Espanyol are putting up a really good fight and Barca are facing a decent side under Quique Sanchez Flores.
"It wasn't an easy game for Barca and they had to capitalise on the fact Real Madrid were not playing by closing the gap.
"Real Madrid have a game in hand away to Valencia but could you imagine if Barca had drawn at home to Espanyol. Their form at the Nou Camp has not been great. It was so important and I think that's why Messi was so good.
"Iniesta back in the team makes Barcelona so much better too. It was critical they got all three points."
Gibson was full of praise for Iniesta, whose return from injury has helped Barca record three consecutive wins in all competitions.
His searching pass to Suarez helped the Uruguayan open the scoring in the first half at the Nou Camp, and Gibson said the midfielder's ability to play short and long helps Barca mix up their game.
"Tiki-taka is about doing the right pass at the right time so if you are under pressure deep in your own half, Iniesta knows he has the perfect player in Luis Suarez [to play long]," Gibson added.
"Suarez is the best multiple-touch finisher in the world. That means his first touch with his weaker foot makes up for the fact he's not lightning quick.
"He gets in front of the defender and has the determination to hold them off and the ability to finish off those chances.
"There were probably 50 short passes from Iniesta that were the right decisions but when he sees space in behind, it is the right thing to do [to play long]. There is room for all types of play and it helps Barcelona be less predictable."
