Barcelona’s constant attacks were shut down by Villarreal as Luis Enrique’s men looked set to lose the game and lose more ground in the title race. Lionel Messi had other ideas, however, and scored a brilliant free-kick in the 89th minute to rescue a point for the Catalans.
Nevertheless, it was still a disappointing result for Barcelona who are now 3rd in the table, with Real Madrid 5 points ahead of them with a game in hand. For all Barcelona’s attacking brilliance, they just could not find a way past Fran Escriba’s defence until Messi rifled his free-kick home.
There was understandable praise for Messi after his free-kick :
Messi’s not bad at free kicks. pic.twitter.com/37P20NB2Zb
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) January 8, 2017
You know it’s Leo Messi when this happens! #Messi #Barcelona #topbins ???
Pictures via @MessiStats_ pic.twitter.com/WPuPzs0VpW
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) January 9, 2017
Messi 25 free-kick goals for Barcelona:
? 18 La Liga
? 2 Copa del Rey
? 2 UCL
? 2 Eur Super Cup
? 1 Spa Super Cup[via @MessiStats_] pic.twitter.com/00gWNl5B8J
— Leo Messi ? (@WeAreMessi) January 9, 2017
Messi scored or assisted 82% of Barca’s goals this season. Honestly can’t remember a team so dependent on one player
— ️️️️barca (@cuIegirI) January 9, 2017
Messi posing with footballers better than him pic.twitter.com/vLJZd5ONYz
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) January 8, 2017
Name: Messi
Job: Saving Luis Enrique’s job pic.twitter.com/KkKt5ua3Sg
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) January 8, 2017
Lionel Messi’s game by numbers vs. Villarreal:
87% pass accuracy
6 chances created
6 shots
3 take-ons
1 goalWhat a performance. pic.twitter.com/84N6uYfT62
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 8, 2017
Two goals in 2 games this year. Both Messi freekicks.
Hit the post twice this year. Both Messi.— Messi World (@MessiWorId) January 8, 2017
Luis Enrique came in for some heavy criticism, however, as Barcelona faltered yet again. Enrique has been a success at Barcelona but this season has been a different story. Many are confused as to how Enrique is having a tough time, given the talent at his disposal :
Mediocre first half, like Barça under Luis Enrique since April 2016. Team needs new ideas, and a proper tactical setup.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) January 8, 2017
Wonder if this is the end of Luis Enrique’s time here. Regardless, a truly special era and shall be remembered as such
— Ahmad (@ChieflySarcastc) January 8, 2017
MESSI SAVING LUIS ENRIQUE YET AGAIN.
— Messi World (@MessiWorId) January 8, 2017
It’s 9.12am and already 3 people have stopped me in the street to moan about how bad Barça are and how bad Luis Enrique is.
— Andy West (@andywest01) January 9, 2017
Zinedine Zidane proving Luis Enrique will never be as good as he is both as a player and manager ??? #HalaMadrid
— GhostMan? BOY GC (@drozz_tt) January 9, 2017
The inevitable comparisons with Real Madrid came out as well, especially since Zinedine Zidane’s team have yet to lose a game in the La Liga this season. Madrid have a game in hand over Barcelona and a mixture of good luck and smart performances have made them look unstoppable this season :
Barcelona have lost as many games this week as Real Madrid have in the last ten months.
— Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro) January 8, 2017
#LaLiga pts since Zidane became coach:
• Real Madrid (93 – game in hand)
• Barcelona (84)
• Atletico (78)
• Sevilla (62)
[@2010MisterChip]— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) January 8, 2017
Watch Barcelona’s past two games. Then proceed to watch Real Madrid’s two games. The spirit of Franco lives on and it’s worrying.
— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) January 8, 2017
Real Madrid lead Barcelona by 5 points with one game to spare.. judging by their current form that gap is only gonna get wider
— Showtime (@Shuffle_10) January 9, 2017
There was plenty of moaning and laughter about the referee’s performance as well :
Barcelona and their fans should start taking the blame for their own losses. Blaming on refs and that Madrid pays the ref won’t help you
— Anonymous (@AnonMadridista) January 9, 2017
Barcelona players playing the ref card is hilarious considering they get 99% of decisions that are 50 50 go their way.
— Gideon (@DondeonBeke) January 8, 2017
It’s 2098, Barcelona drop points on Mestalla because of bad ref, comments such as “Chelsea 2009. kme kme”
— Joe ? (@LittleCule) January 8, 2017
Barcelona fans: ”we didn’t win because ref didn’t give us a
penalty”— tafadzwa (@Mufcboi) January 8, 2017
Barcelona is robbed of 2 points by the referee. Which is the second time this week a ref has had a severely Real Madrid day at the ofice
— Chris Rasmussen (@WonderWaage) January 8, 2017
The Barcelona game on right now is so bad to watch! The ref is absolutely screwing Barca right now! 2 clear handballs, No penalties!
— West Ham United News (@lfiebrabbs) January 8, 2017
When Barcelona players ask for penalty and ref deny… pic.twitter.com/fSUFNHupNu
— Z (@FifthPenalty) January 8, 2017
