LIONEL MESSI shook his head in the stands with frustration as Barcelona slipped six points off the LaLiga pace with a 1-1 home draw against lowly Eibar.
Barca’s injured superstar, just back from a break in Argentina, was sorely missed as Ronald Koeman’s under-achievers relied on inspirational sub Ousmane Dembele for a point-saver.
Lionel Messi, recovering from an ankle injury, looks on in disappointment as Barca struggle to a 1-1 home drawCredit: Reuters
Ousmane Dembele hails his point-saver for sixth-placed Barca against EibarCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Messi’s reaction hardly dampened speculation he will be off in the summer when his contract ends, having eventually accepted he had to stay for this campaign.
Manchester City and PSG are rated the 33-year-old’s main suitors.
But even if Messi does depart to challenge for top European honours, even he must be surprised at how Barca are struggling domestically.
They remain sixth, well adrift of pace-setting Madrid clubs Atletico and Real, mainly thanks to their disappointing first half in which Martin Braithwaite missed an early penalty.
Masked Messi turned sharply and shook his head repeatedly as he quickly exited the stands at the final whistle.
And it wasn’t a performance his squad-mates will want to dwell on either.
Braithwaite fired a fifth-minute spot-kick wide of the left post after Pedro Bigas fouled Araujo.
And that let-off sparked Eibar ‘s best spell.
Pedri was also crestfallen, after seeing Kike Garcia grab a shock opener for Eibar in a 1-1 drawCredit: EPA
Lionel Messi and Co stay socially distanced, rather like the gap developing between Barcelona and the top of the tableCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Takashi Inui, Kike Garcia and Edu had decent chances, as well as the visitors earning several corners.
Barca only revived midway through the first period, Marko Dmitrovic saving well from Araujo’s header and Braithwaite having a goal ruled offside.
And in fact it was only Dembele’s half-time introduction that truly revved Barcelona up.
The Frenchamn regularly conjured opportunities, notably for Miralem Pjanic and Antoine Griezmann, plus two for himself.
But on 57 minutes Garcia stole the ball off Araujo on halfway and surged away to drill past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
On came Philippe Coutinho and Trincao.
And Barca levelled in the 67th minute, flowing play down the left peaking with Junior Firpo crossing low for Dembele to angle home a drive
The hosts pressed for victory, but Clement Lenglet headed high and Braithwaite shot wide.
Lionel Messi arrives home in Argentina for the holidays ahead of transfer speculation
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
