Overall, Luis Suarez was below his best, missing two good chances.
But Suarez had scored with panache from Jordi Alba’s low cross to the far post to put Barca ahead after only 6 minutes.
A clever flick by the unmarked Jonathan Viera released Willian Jose, a 24-year old Brazilian striker, from an onside position and he slotted the equaliser past advancing keeper Claudio Bravo.
The score after 10 minutes was 1-1.
In 39, Barca replied with a typical attack on the right side, Suarez set up Messi, and when keeper Javi Varas saved Messi’s shot from six yards, Neymar pounced on the rebound to make it 1-2.
There were no more goals in the second half.
Before that game, Barca coach Luis Enrique had said, “We’re used to competing every three days. Regardless of the competition or the rival, we’ve demonstrated that. If things don’t turn out well on Saturday it won’t be because we were thinking of Arsenal, it will be because we didn’t do certain things or because the other team did things well.”
After the match Enrique admitted that his side looked a bit vulnerable to counter-attacks.
“Today, we have put in a more effective performance than usual. With a game every three days, all we can ask is that we keep competing, There was no lack of rhythm to the game. At some moments, given we were on the attack, we suffered more on the counter than is normal.
Who can translate this headline & story for ANR readers?
http://www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com/2016/02/portada-sport-wenger-no-te-hagas-ilusiones.html
From Xavier : headline translation
Hi Myles,
Don’t speak a word of Spanish but according to this article, the words mean “Wenger, don’t get too excited, we were snoozing…”