Barcelona win 3-0 against Elche, Koeman says win much required

Barcelona cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over La LIga rivals Elche at home with a brace from Lionel Messi. Jordi Alba scored the 3rd goal to put an end to an end to Barcelona’s win less run.

Barcelona started poorly in the first half, in which they had most of the possession but lacked an attacking edge registering only 2 shots in the entire half. However, a complete turnaround in the second half from their talisman Lionel Messi gave them the crucial 3 points.   

Lionel Messi leads the Pichichi race with 18 goals

Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 48^th minute and added a second in the 68^th to score his 18^th goal of the La Liga campaign. With his second goal, Messi now leads the race for the leading goal scorer in the Spanish top division.

Left back Jordi Alba struck the third goal from another Braithwaite assist to round off a victory which took Barca back above Sevilla and into third. The Barcelona boss was pleased with the result considering the poor form of results they are going through currently.

“We needed to win after the two results,” Koeman said. “We played a great second half, we made the difference. In the first half we should have done better.”

Koeman added: “Surely, having won today, tomorrow will be different. It is normal if you leave two points against Cadiz when it was time to cut back with those at the top. You have to close this bad feeling with good games and good results.”

Barcelona jumped back into 3rd position after the win and now trail league leaders Atletico by 5 points. However, their title challengers Sevilla, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all have a game in hand over the Catalonians.

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