Since the turn of the year, FC Barcelona have started to hit something close to top form and after such a tough first half to the La Liga campaign, a change of fortune was very much needed.
The Blaugrana are third, unbeaten in four league games, winning the last three and are making crucial steps in their chase for the Copa Del Rey. Sunday’s 4-0 win at Eibar re-established their presence in the title race, and with Real Madrid struggling since their 40-match unbeaten run was ended by second placed Sevilla, a third straight triumph is not out of the question.
Goals from both Suarez’s, Luis and Denis, Lionel Messi and Neymar, the Brazilian’s first in a staggering 133 days, gave Barcelona the points on a day which suggested they truly were back to their best.
The second leg of their Copa tie with Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou, with a 1-0 lead to defend, a trip to Real Betis and a home game with Athletic Club stand in the way of a return to Champions League action against Paris Saint-Germain next month.
It wasn’t all good news against Eibar, with an ankle injury to Sergio Busquets putting a dark cloud over the game and the Spain international’s participation in the first leg at the Parc des Princes in doubt.
He may well be fit enough, with reports since the incident suggesting he will return in two to three weeks. But he will definitely miss the games against La Real and Betis, so here are five possible replacements for him in Luis Enrique’s starting XI.