Madrid (AFP)

Lionel Messi preserved, it is the French winger Ousmane Dembélé, back from injury, who allowed FC Barcelona to save the bet Tuesday at home against Eibar (1-1) in La Liga, to end a tough and thorny year 2020 on a new disillusion.

Recovering from a strained hamstring of the right thigh, "Dembouz" opened his right foot to the recovery of a low cross from Junior Firpo (67th) to equal after the opening of the captain's surprise score Basque Kike Garcia (57th), on a defensive error by Ronald Araujo.

While the "Pulga" (bullet in Spanish) Messi, present in the stands of Camp Nou Tuesday evening, benefited from two additional days of rest to treat pain in his right ankle, it is the French international winger, real Barca's X factor when fit to play, who saved the furniture for the Blaugranas after coming on at the break in place of Sergino Dest.

After a disappointing first part of the season, Barça therefore ends 2020 with a new poor performance, in 6th place in the standings, seven points behind two coleaders, Atlético and Real Madrid (32 pts), who play on Wednesday respectively. against Getafe and Elche ...

And on another negative note: Philippe Coutinho limped out in added time, raising fears of an injury.

-Griezmann harmless-

Ousmane Dembélé, for his part, ends the calendar year with a smile, after having suffered for a long time from repeated injuries since the end of 2019.

A ray of light in the Catalan twilight on Tuesday evening.

Because apart from the Dembélé detonator, nothing reassuring: Braithwaite missed a penalty awarded with the help of the VAR from the start (8th), then his goal (25th) was canceled for an offside position.

The French world champion Antoine Griezmann was completely absent, with two harmless small strikes on his counter, and a derisory participation.

Bogged down in its problems, with sawtooth results, a winter transfer window to prepare, elections for the club's presidency which arrive on January 24 and the extension of Lionel Messi to be negotiated, FC Barcelona hopes to see the light again in 2021.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, Julen Lopetegui's Sevilla FC dominated Unai Emery's Villarreal 2-0, temporarily climbing to 3rd place in Liga (26 pts), tied with his evening opponent and the Real Sociedad.

© 2020 AFP