The Blaugrana will look to exploit the fact that their current neighbours on the log, Celta and Real Madrid, play against each other this weekend, and maybe propel themselves to the top of the standings unopposed.
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Eibar surprised early at the Camp Nou with a goal by striker Borja Baston in the 10th minute, but Suarez helped the defending champions rally with goals in the 21st, 48th and 85th minutes.
The Nou Camp was left stunned by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande’s decision to give Mascherano a straight red card in the 83rd minute for dissent and Barca fans would have been within their rights to fear a late onslaught from Eibar.
Barca is now third in the La Liga table with 18 points tied with second placer Celta Vigo.
Defensively weak and without the services of Lionel Messi, Luis Enrique faces a tough challenge as they host 7 placed Eibar at home.
“They [Eibar] started winning, we had complications but we demonstrated why we are the current champions of La Liga”.
Defensively, Enrique will have major concerns that his side have kept just two clean sheets in La Liga this season, the last of which came against Malaga in the second week of the campaign. They are now tied with Real Madrid on 21 points after nine games.
No spot kick was awarded but Barca did not have to wait long to find their equalising goal when Sandro Ramirez provided a ideal assist on the volley for Suarez to convert from close range.
Although the firepower of Neymar and Luis Suarez was the determining factor in that game, Barcelona’s defence was chaotic and were it not for a few fine saves from Claudio Bravo the final result could have been very different.
Messi is brilliant and there is no denying that, but watching Neymar and Luis Suarez duke it out in his absence is fascinating.
Atletico should have been out of sight at the break as Martinez also had a one-on-one saved by Jaume Domenech and Diego Godin’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Jose Luis Gaya.
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Villarreal’s dip in form continued as their winless run stretched to three games in a disappointing 0-0 draw at Las Palmas.
