NEYMAR AND SUAREZ PROVES BARCA CAN COPE WITHOUT MESSI AHEAD OF EL CLASSICO.

By Mustapha Abdul-Raheem.

The deadly duo have thrived in the absence of the Barcelona icon, both scoring screaming 23 goals in ten matches since Messi limped off in the match against Las Palmas. In all competitions this season, Suarez has scored 17 goals while providing 6 assists and Neymar scoring 11goals and providing 6 Assists.

They've both put to rest the issue of Barca's over-dependece on messi, infamously tagged 'Messi-dependencia'.

Ahead of the El Classico coming up in a forthnight, Messi is expected to be back, pending on judgement by the medical team. But the other two of the famous trident, MSN (Messi, Suarez and Neymar) have proved that Barca can win convincingly without their most priced asset as they both see off the challenge from fellow laliga rival, Villareal 3-0 at the Camp Nou.

The first half ended in a dissapointing draw at the camp nou but at the start of the second half, Barca domimated play and their persistence paid off with a deserving goal. An attacking play from Barcelona saw their movement thwarted by the brilliant Villareal backline, they cleared their line but the ball fell to the path of Busquet who laid the ball for Neymar to have a go at goal. The Barca forward calmly sends the ball into the down left corner of the goal post.

The second goal was scored from the spot kick by Luis Suarez. He benefited from the brilliance of Munir El Hadadi who was brought down by a Villareal defender after a fine first touch by the young forward. Luis Suarez sends the keeper the wrong way as barca led 2-0.

The third goal was a master piece, a classic and a world class goal by Neymar. Suarez got the ball in the middle from Neymar, he surged forward and squared the ball to Neymar who performed a flick over an oncoming Villareal defender and he fired the ball low into the net giving the goalkeeper no chance at all. Indeed, it was a goal worthy of a FIFA Puskas award nomination.

If perhaps Messi doesn't come back against Real Madrid in a forthnight, Barca can comfortably rely on Neymar and Suarez for goals; they've been absolutely brilliant.