Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is closing in on another brilliant La Liga record as he bids to become the first ever player to score 20 goals and contribute 20 assists in the same season
The Argentina international's current haul for 2014/15 stands at an impressive 38 goals and 17 assists, meaning he has four more games to set-up three more goals in order to achieve the feat.
With Luis Enrique's side in ominous form and still on course to claim a domestic and European treble, few would bet against the four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner from reaching that landmark between now and the end of the campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently one goal ahead of Messi in the Primera Division scoring charts, but with forthcoming matches against Cordoba, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna still to play there is every chance that the South American will surpass his Portuguese rival between now and May 24.
The assists target is probably something the 27-year-old can reach without giving it too much thought, given the free-scoring form of Barca's attacking triumvirate which also includes Luis Suarez and Neymar.
The trio have established a mouthwatering partnership that makes the Camp Nou contingent one of the most feared forward lines in world football, and could well fire the Catalan giants to glory in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
Standing in Barcelona's way of recording a fifth European Cup triumph is former tactician Pep Guardiola and his recently crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
The Bavarians travel to Spain for the semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday 6 May before hosting the return fixture at the Allianz Arena the following Tuesday.
Of course, neither of those matches will have any effect on whether Messi breaks that domestic record, but his performances against Bayern can help give him the momentum needed to maintain his fine form in La Liga.
He netted a brace in the emphatic 6-0 victory over Getafe on Tuesday evening, with further goals from Suarez (2) and Neymar taking their combined seasonal tally to over 100 goals.
It also extended Barcelona's unbeaten run to 15 matches, winning 14 and drawing one, in all competitions.
However, with Real Madrid breathing down their necks just two points behind - and with a better head-to-head record - Messi and Co. know they cannot afford even one slip-up, or else they risk surrendering top spot to Carlo Ancelotti's side.
0 comments:
Post a Comment