FC Barcelona News: 9 December 2018

RCD Espanyol 0-4 FC Barcelona: Tickled pink! | FC Barcelona
The GOAT just got GOATier! Leo Messi was the mastermind but Barça as a whole were simply outstanding in a somewhat lop-sided edition of the oldest football fixture in Spain. It was all over by half-time, when Luis Suárez slipped a cheeky angled finish past Diego Lopez to make it 3-0, his eighth goal against Barça’s local rivals.

Messi matches Xavi for derbies | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi just keeps breaking records.Tonight he equalled the great Xavi Hernández by appearing in his 32nd edition of the Barcelona derby with city rivals RCD Espanyol.

Lionel Messi: Barcelona love ‘important’ Ousmane Dembele | Football Espana
Lionel Messi affirms Barcelona ‘love’ Ousmane Dembele, who is ‘important’ for the club, after Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Espanyol. “We came out very strongly to dominate the match from the start,” the No 10, who scored two free kicks at Cornella El-Prat, said after the Derbi.

Messi’s scored more free kicks in four years than any top European side | Sport
More illustrating Lionel Messi data appeared after his exhibition against Espanyol: In the last four years, he, on his own, has scored more free kicks than any team has in total across Europe’s top five leagues. ”Someone passed me the statistic,” Messi said modestly. “I’m really happy to score from a free kick and to be able to help the team.”

‘Ballon d’Or is a lie!’ - Jordi Alba slams Messi snub | Goal
Lionel Messi’s fifth place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings proves it’s “a lie”, Barcelona star Jordi Alba says, accusing the award of favouritism towards Real Madrid players. The Argentine finished outside the top two for the first time since 2007 as the decade-long stronghold he and Cristiano Ronaldo have had on the trophy came to an end, with Luka Modric being named the world’s best player in 2018.

Pique insulted in Cornella | Marca
Barcelona’s win at Espanyol was tainted by their centre-back, Gerard Pique, being on the end of more vile chants from the home support. The defender suggested that the nature of the Blaugrana win dilutes the impact of the abuse.

Serbian referee Mirolad Mazic to take charge of Barcelona vs.Tottenham | Sport
Serbian official Mirolad Mazic will be in charge of the Champions League Group B game between Barcelona and Tottenham at Camp Nou on Tuesday, while Italian referee Davide Massa will oversee Atletico Madrid’s trip to Club Brugge.

Source: barcablaugranes.com