Barcelona’s LaLiga title defense came to a sputtering end last Thursday following a 2-1 loss to Osasuna, a defeat that Lionel Messi called a microcosm of Barça’s “erratic and weak” 2019-20 team. That inconsistency was again highlighted in Sunday’s final league match of the season as the Blaugrana raced to a 3-0 halftime lead against Alavés en route to a 5-0 win.
With the team trying to stay sharp ahead of its rescheduled Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Napoli on Aug. 8, Ernesto Valverde named a strong starting XI against 15th-place Alavés.
There were also potential records to be set, including Lionel Messi’s pursuit of the most assists in a single LaLiga season. Messi entered the match on 20, equal with Xavi’s record-setting 2008-09 campaign.
In the 24th minute of this one, Messi’s deflected cross was enough for assist No. 21 as Ansu Fati was on hand to volley home from close range.
10 minutes later, Messi scored his 24th goal of the league season to double Barcelona’s advantage. The pass was provided by 20-year-old midfielder Riqui Puig — his first-ever LaLiga assist.
Just before halftime, Messi released Jordi Alba in the area before the full back squared for Luis Suárez’s 16th goal of the campaign.
@LuisSuarez9 puts the finishing touch to a piece of "stardust football" by @FCBarcelona #AlavésBarça - LIVE
beIN SPORTS
CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/BDE3V4kcxz— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) July 19, 2020
Nélson Semedo added Barcelona’s fourth in the 57th minute with Puig providing another assist.
Another record that Messi was chasing is the most Pichichi (top goalscorer of the LaLiga season) wins. He’s currently on six, equal with Athletic Club legend Telmo Zarra.
In the 75th minute, Messi scored his 25th goal of the season to make it 5-0. In second place is Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, who has 21 goals ahead of Real’s final match later today. It's another Pichichi for Messi.
Barcelona finishes the season in second on 82 points, their lowest return since the 2007-08 campaign when Messi was just 20 and Ronaldinho was headed for the exit.
