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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 27
Mar 15, 2021 at 8pm UK
Camp Nou
Huesca logo

Barcelona
4 - 1
Huesca

Messi (13', 90'), Griezmann (35'), Mingueza (53')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Mir (45+4' pen.)
Escriche (48'), Insua (60')

Ronald Koeman: 'Lionel Messi is Barcelona's most important player ever'

Ronald Koeman: 'Lionel Messi is Barcelona's most important player ever'
© Reuters
The 33-year-old scored his side's first and fourth goals as Barca climbed into second place in the table.

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman hailed Lionel Messi as the most important player in the club's illustrious history after he struck twice on his record-equalling 767th club appearance.

The 33-year-old scored his side's first and fourth goals as Barca climbed into second place in the table following a comprehensive 4-1 LaLiga victory over Huesca.

Messi matched Xavi's all-time appearance record in the Barcelona shirt, a career which includes winning 34 trophies and now scoring 661 goals since he made his debut in 2004, with 27 so far this season.

"I cannot say more about Leo," Koeman told a press conference reported by marca.com

"The level he has for many years, many games...he has equalled Xavi and on Sunday in principle he will surpass him.

"He is the most important man in the history of Barca. Luckily he is still with us."

Messi put Barcelona ahead in the 13th minute before Antoine Griezmann doubled the hosts' tally 11 minutes from half-time.

In the final moments of the first half, Huesca were awarded a penalty on VAR review for a foul on Rafa Mir, who also dispatched the spot-kick to halve Barcelona's advantage.

Messi then turned provider for Barcelona's third which Oscar Mingueza headed home for his maiden club goal and the Argentinian completed the scoring at the death.

Reflecting on the match itself the Barca boss said: "I've always said there was a lot of LaLiga (matches this year).

"It is difficult for any team to win matches throughout the year. The points we lost for a few weeks (were many). We have reacted well.

"The team is confident. We cannot lose more points because we have already lost quite a few."

The result leaves Huesca at the bottom of the table and four points from safety, but manager Pacheta said his side put in a worthy performance.

"We are conceding a lot of goals," he said. "Today there are three goals, two for the squad, another that touches a defence.

"We will have to shake hands. We have played a very worthy game even though the result is disappointing. I am proud of the team.

"We have done many things that are good. We have had goal situations. We have been involved in the game.

"Now our fight begins. I don't like to talk about finals but now we have to get four points more than three teams."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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