BARCELONA — Lionel Messi’s double strike helped Barcelona scrape a 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad Saturday to keep the pressure on La Liga leader Real Madrid, which needed a brace from Isco to beat Sporting Gijon by the same scoreline.
A much-changed Madrid side snatched victory at El Molinon thanks to Isco’s two goals, which included a 90th-minute winner, to stretch their lead over Barcelona before the Catalans closed the gap back down to three points at the Nou Camp.
Messi scored twice and set up a third for Paco Alcacer as Barcelona saw off its Basque opponents, who pressed them until the end of a nervy encounter.
The win, however, kept the Catalans within touching distance of Los Blancos, having played one match more, ahead of next Sunday’s Clasico.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was relieved to put a difficult week behind him, after last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Malaga and Tuesday’s bruising 3-0 reverse against Juventus in the Champions League.
Despite their recent jitters, he is confident that his side can do well in the reverse leg against the Italians and against Madrid in next weekend’s crucial title showdown if they perform to their very best.
“We have to be marvelous and perfect,” he said. “The players need confidence to be at their best and that’s what I’m trying to do as the coach.
“It was a special week because of what happened before (defeats by Malaga and Juventus). We won a game against a difficult opponent. I’m more than happy with the performance. We deserved to win even though it was tricky.”
Messi put Barcelona ahead with a low drive and doubled the lead with a tap-in after Luis Suarez’s shot was saved, but Sociedad hit back when Inigo Martinez’s lashed effort bounced off Samuel Umtiti into the Barcelona net.
Alcacer extended the Catalans’ advantage before Xabi Prieto reduced the deficit to 3-2 just before halftime, while the second half stayed goalless despite intense pressure from the visitors.
Atletico Madrid missed two late penalties but still thrashed bottom of the table Osasuna 3-0 at home with a brace from Yannick Carrasco to stay third in the table.
In the battle to avoid the drop, Deportivo La Coruna beat Malaga 2-0 to move nine points clear of the relegation zone, with Sporting Gijon still 18th, on 22 points.
Kompany scores
Vincent Kompany’s first goal in 20 injury-ravaged months helped Manchester City to a 3-0 win at Southampton Saturday, lifting the team to third in the Premier League.
Kompany marked his latest return to the City defense by heading a 55th-minute opener before Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero also contributed goals.
“It’s always a long journey back,” Kompany told BT Sport television.
City wrapped up the win with two goals in three minutes.
David Silva sent Kevin De Bruyne through and the midfielder squared for Sane to sweep past Forster for his ninth goal of the season in the 77th minute. Then De Bruyne chipped the ball into the Southampton six-yard box where Aguero headed in at the far post as City eased to a second successive win.
The 2012 and 2014 champion is looking to lock down a return to the Champions League and Pep Guardiola’s side moved a point ahead of Liverpool, which occupies the fourth qualification spot. Everton and Manchester United are six points further back. — Agencies
