News
DOM 15.05.2016
The MSN cocktail is the perfect example of what happens when quality ingredients are mixed together in the right way. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have dovetailed to devastating effect this season. The trio's chemistry, skill, runs, assists and finishing have come together to produce goals by the bucketful that have catapulted FC Barcelona to the 2015/16 Liga BBVA title.
Between them, the attacking stars have netted 90 times in LaLiga this term, meaning they have been responsible for 80.3% of the Catalan giants' goal tally. These are record-breaking figures and offer an idea of the way in which the front three have stamped their mark out on the pitch matchday in, matchday out.
Five goals against RCD Espanyol, two against Real Betis, six against R. Sporting, eight against RC Deportivo, and so on. This has been the drill for the MSN since the Azulgranas kicked off their league campaign on 23 August. Because, while the team have delighted with their all-round play, by and large it has fallen to Messi's magic wand of a left foot, Suarez's insatiable appetite and Neymar's wizardry to turn all of that exquisite build-up into goals.
The Uruguayan has blown his own previous stats in Spain out of the water, going from 16 goals last term to a whopping 40 this time round – including four hat-tricks and two consecutive four-goal hauls –, enough to end the season as the top scorer in the Liga BBVA. Neymar has also upped his game, notching 24 times, two more than last term. Messi, meanwhile, may have dropped from 43 goals to 26, but he has served up oodles of assists while making waves in a freer role, drifting around and creating danger across the frontline.
Having lifted the title for the second year on the spin, now the question is whether the trio – fittingly – can make it a three-peat and take their goalscoring exploits to even greater heights.
© LALIGA - 2016