Barcelona 3-0 Eibar: 5 Hits and Flops | LaLiga 2018-19
Barcelona remains five points clear at the top of LaLiga, after a comfortable 3-0 win over Eibar on Sunday evening. Luis Suárez's brace, as well as a landmark goal for Lionel Messi, ensured Ernesto Valverde's side eased to victory over Eibar.
After their surprise 2-1 Copa del Rey defeat by Levante last Thursday, a full-strength Barcelona side was solid and eased to a routine victory as their quality proved too much for Eibar to handle.
With an eye on their second leg tie this coming week, Valverde looked to rest and preserve players where possible. It's increasingly clear that a treble is on the cards this term, particularly if Messi and Suarez are able to combine in top form.
Here's a look at five hits and flops from Barcelona's 13th win of the campaign.
#5 Flop: Gonzalo Escalante
To Eibar's credit, they were collectively good performers in a match where Barcelona's quality proved too hot to handle.
However, there were still some players who struggled more than others and defensive-midfielder Gonzalo Escalante was one of those. Valverde's 4-3-3 formation and the hosts' counter-attacking threat meant this was not a game for wingers to flourish in.
Instead, sustained periods of play were through the middle third where Escalante was outperformed by his midfield partner Pape Diop while allowing the hosts had too much time and space to break quickly.
However, the Argentine only completed two tackles in 76 minutes before being replaced. Diop had five, an important clearance made and despite the scoreline, was regularly imposing his physical presence on the pitch. Escalante made no interceptions or other defensive contributions and with his teammates looking to attack late on, it was unsurprising that he was subbed.