I. Rakitić has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by Sergi Roberto.
Roberto tees up Rakitic inside the six-yard box to find the net.
GOALLLL!!! BARCA HAVE SIX! Rakitic puts the icing on the cake this evening as he hammers a volley home from close range. There was only one place he put his effort to score and he made sure that he found it.
85'
Suarez attempts to drive his way into the box, but he gets crowded out at the vital moment when he was about to pull the trigger. Barcelona are showing no signs of letting up here.
84'
Neymar makes a surge into the left inside channel before cutting the ball back across the face of goal, but there was no Barcelona player on hand to capitalise.
81'
OFFSIDE! Neymar breaks forward and tees up Alba inside the box, who takes a touch before firing at goal. His effort clatters off the post, although the offside flag was up anyway.
79'
OVER! Neymar collects the ball on the edge of the box from the resulting corner and goes for the spectacular, only to fire his strike well over the bar.
78'
CHANCE! Rakitic almost adds to the scoreline as he pounces on Rodriguez's mistake and fires low towards the bottom corner. However, a fingertip save from Pichu turns the ball past the post.
76'
Mikel Vesga enters the game and replaces Sergio Álvarez.
Vesga replaces Alvarez for the visitors.
75'
Barcelona almost play their way in down the right flank as Gomes sends a threatening low ball towards the near post, but Alcacer just cannot make contact.
Minute
Description
74'
Sergi Roberto enters the game and replaces Rafinha.
Rafinha is withdrawn for Sergi Roberto.
72'
The home side pass the ball around the final third with ease before Neymar takes on the strike from the edge of the box. His effort is on target, although Pichu makes a comfortable save.
69'
Echiejile makes a promising break forward, but as he offloads to Castro on the right, the forward gets crowded out before the attack is eventually quelled.
67'
Barcelona are in cruise control now and can afford to take the pace out of the game. Enrique will just be hoping to end the contest unscathed with injuries.
65'
Neymar has scored a goal for Barcelona!
Rodriguez again tempts fate as he drags down Rakitic on the edge of the box. Barcelona are awarded a free-kick, but the referee opts not to send off the defender.
GOALLLL!!! NEYMAR CURLS ONE IN! The Brazilian joins the party this evening with a superb free-kick. His effort curls around the wall and nips in past the post at the last second. Pichu gets a hand to the ball, but it's not strong enough to keep out the powerful strike.
64'
WIDE! Rakitic raids into the final third and attempts a shot at goal, but he pulls his effort well wide of the post.
63'
Gomes attempts to slide a pass into the feet of Alcacer through the middle, but Rodriguez makes the interception.
61'
André Gomes enters the game and replaces L. Messi.
Messi gets an ovation as he heads off the pitch after another impressive night's work. Gomes replaces him.
60'
Neymar wants a free-kick on the edge of the box as Rodriguez catches him again, only for the referee to award a goal-kick as the ball heads out of play.
59'
Isma López enters the game and replaces Burgui.
OFF THE BAR! Messi attempts to dink the ball into the top corner left exposed by Pichu, but his effort clips the crossbar and heads over.
Lopez replaces Burgui for the visitors.
58'
Barcelona are mere millimetres from winning a penalty as Victor catches Suarez right on the edge of the box. It couldn't be closer to the line. Messi stands over the ball waiting to take the set-piece.
57'
Suarez attempts to slide the ball down the flank for Alcacer, only for the offside flag to go up as he stretches to make contact.
55'
Juan Rodríguez gets yellow.
Rodriguez takes a wild swipe at Neymar on the left flank and heads into the book. He was walking a fine line before the incident, but that was an invitation for the referee to produce the card.
53'
Barcelona are back in full flow and can afford to take the pace ouf the game by knocking the ball around at the back.
51'
BLOCK! Denis Suarez makes a neat turn on the edge of the box and tees up Messi for a strike, only for Babin to divert his effort behind for a corner.
49'
Paco Alcácer has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by L. Messi.
GOALLL!!! ALCACER FINDS THE NET! Barcelona are out of sight now as Messi robs Babin of possession and tees up Alcacer in the box. The striker holds his composure to bury his effort into the corner, giving Pichu no chance.
Messi snatches possession from Babin and picks out Alcacer in the box to score his side's fourth.
47'
Messi makes the decision not to strike the ball inside the box after collecting Neymar's pass and gets crowded out as he attempts to forge further forward.
46'
Víctor Rodríguez enters the game and replaces Douglas Pereira.
Paco Alcácer enters the game and replaces L. Suárez.
Suarez makes way for Alcacer.
Victor replaces Douglas at the break.
We're back underway at the Camp Nou.
45' +2
The referee ends the first half.
45' +1
Neymar gets yellow.
Neymar goes into the book for dissent just before the interval.
45'
Carlos Castro gets yellow.
Gijon lose possession on the edge of the Barca box and Castro has to act to stop Messi's counter, bringing down the Argentine.
There will be one minute of added time.
43'
CHANCE! Gijon are caught out at the back from their corner as Neymar surges away down the right. He breaks into the box and has only Pichu to beat, but the keeper makes a fine stop with his feet.
42'
SAVE! Burgui impressess once again down the left, beating the challenges of Busquets and Mascherano before firing at goal with his right foot. Ter Stegen makes a fine save to keep the ball out before Alba reacts just ahead of Castro to clear in the six-yard area.
41'
Neymar stands a dangerous cross up into the six-yard box for Umtiti to attack, but Pichu comes off his line to bravely claim ahead of the Frenchman.
40'
Burgui continues to have freedom down the left flank and he escapes the attentions of Mascherano to send a low cross into the box. However, on this occasion Umtiti gathers the loose ball and brings it away upfield.
38'
SHOT! Rafinha raids down the right flank before cutting the ball back to the edge of the box for Suarez to strike. His effort has accuracy, but the not the power to beat Pichu, who makes a comfortable save.
37'
Suarez attempts to return a favour from Messi by trying to send the Argentine over the top of the Gijon defence, only for Babin to spot the danger and shield the ball out of play.
35'
Burgui attempts to raid past Mascherano in the left inside channel. The Gijon winger claims that the ball struck the Argentine's arm, but replays prove that it was chest only from the Barcelona defender.
32'
Burgui breaks down the left to latch on to Echiejile's pass, but he just cannot keep the ball in play with his cross into the box.
31'
For all of Barcelona's dominance in the final third, they are looking vulnerable at the back. Gijon are posing a threat in possession.
29'
Burgui sends the ball down the right flank for Castellano's burst, only for the offside flag to be raised. Replays show that it was a poor decision from the linesman.
28'
Busquets gives the ball away on the edge of the Barca box, but Castro cannot find a team-mate as Mascherano makes the interception.
27'
L. Suárez has scored a goal for Barcelona!
GOALLL!!!! SUAREZ SCORES A STUNNER! Suarez gets his goal for the evening as he latches on to an appalling attempt at a headed clearance from Babin inside the box and hammers a right-footed volley into the net, with the aid of the post.
26'
Messi lifts an angled pass over the top of the Gijon defence for Suarez, but the ball skips off the pitch and bounces for a goal-kick.
24'
Burgui gets yellow.
Burgui goes into the book for tripping Messi.
23'
Barcelona need to get back up to speed as they had been in control of the game until that point. They cannot afford to let Gijon hang around this evening.
21'
Carlos Castro has scored a goal for Sporting Gijon!
WIDE! Messi lifts a sublime ball over the top of the Gijon defence and Rafinha collets in the inside right channel, only to lose his composure at the vital moment, blasting his effort wide.
GOALLLLL!!!! CASTRO GETS GIJON BACK INTO THE GAME! Well Barcelona allow the visitors a glimmer of hope through slack defending. Torres releases Alvarez in the box and his poked effort hits off the post, but falls nicely for Castro who converts from close range.
19'
Rafinha almost presents a chance for the visitors as he loses possession to Echiejile, but the referee blows for a foul from the Sporting Gijon defender.
17'
Barcelona are already at walking pace in their approach play in the final third. it's almost like a training match. Sporting Gijon need to get a grip otherwise this could get embarrassing.
15'
The visitors win a corner down the left, but the opening is wasted as Douglas is caught offside as he collects a pass back to him on the flank.
14'
The Camp Nou is almost silent due to the home side's control. Expectations have been well and truly met as this contest is all but over now.
12'
CHANCE! Neymar attempts to notch a third goal for Enrique's men as he surges through the middle of the Gijon defence, but his effort is blocked behind for a corner.
11'
L. Suárez has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by Neymar.
GOALLLLL!!! Barelona double their lead just two minutes after opening the scoring. Neymar slides a delightful pass through to Suarez, who rounds Pichu before firing at goal. Rodriguez attempts to clear the ball off the line, but can only send it into his own net. Another simple goal for the hosts.
9'
L. Messi has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by J. Mascherano.
GOAL!!!!!! MESSI HEADS BARCA AHEAD! The home side take the lead with a simple goal as Messi times his run from deep to perfection and guides his header from Mascherano's cross over the on-rushing Pichu into the net. Too easy for Barca.
Mascherano notches an assist by simply lifting the ball over the top of the Gijon defence.
7'
A rare sight on the Camp Nou pitch as Messi gifts away possession in the final third, allowing Torres to bring the ball away from the edge of the box.
5'
Neymar almost slides the ball into the path of Suarez in the middle, but Babin reads the danger from the throughball and clears ahead of the Uruguayan.
3'
A decent start for the visitors as they enjoy a spell of possession in the Barca half, although it's ended as Burgui sends the ball out for a goal-kick.
1'
We're underway at the Nou Camp.
Gijon claimed a point in their last outing against Celta de Vigo at the weekend. Moi Gomez put Rubi's men ahead in the second half from the penalty spot, but Iago Aspas scored 15 minutes from time to deny the hosts the victory.
For all the negativity surrounding Barca this term they could be in line for another trophy celebration in May should they maintain their current level of form until the end of the campaign.
The Catalan club claimed a vital win over Atletico Madrid at the weekend, with Lionel Messi's late strike securing the team's fourth win on the bounce.
Barcelona can move temporarily ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table by claiming a point this evening, although Luis Enrique and his men will have their sights set on the victory over struggling Gijon.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the LaLiga clash between Barcelona and Sporting Gijon at the Nou Camp.
Sporting are currently occupying the final relegation spot in 17th place, but are only two points adrift of safety. A positive result this evening could start a surge towards retaining their place in Primera Division.
The team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Rafinha, Mascherano, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, D Suarez, Busquets; L Suarez, Messi; Neymar.
Barcelona subs: Pique, Iniesta, Cillessen, Alcacer, Digne, Sergi Roberto, Gomes.
Barcelona have made four changes from their win over Atletico. Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Ivan Rakitic and Denis Suarez all come into the side this evening.
Rubi has rung the changes from his side's draw against Celta de Vigo. One is enforced as Jorge Mere begins his suspension, Uwa Echiejile replaces him in the team, while Lillo Castellano, Jean Babin, Juan Rodriguez, Nacho Cases, Xavi Torres and Carlos Castro also start.
The players are making their way out on to the pitch, so we should be underway shortly.
HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 3-1 SPORTING GIJON
Barcelona lead at the break, but it has not been a classic performance from the Catalan club thus far. They've capitalised on defensive errors from Sporting Gijon to notch their three goals through Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, while Juan Rodriguez put the ball into his own net.
Defensively, Luis Enrique will be concerned as Burgui has had a lot of freedom down the left and if not for a fine save from Marc Andre Ter Stegen the visitors may only be a goal behind.
The players are back out for the second half, so we should be underway again shortly.
FULL-TIME: BARCELONA 6-1 SPORTING GIJON
Barcelona secure an emphatic win over Sporting Gijon this evening that was never in doubt. Lionel Messi started the rout with an headed effort before strikes from Luis Suarez, Paco Alcacer, Neymar, Ivan Rakitic and an own goal from Juan Rodriguez completed the comfortable victory.
Thanks for joining our commentary. Until next time, goodbye.
The Catalan club go temporarily top of the table, with Real Madrid play later this evening. Gijon have a lot of soul searching ahead of them before their vital fixture against Deportivo La Coruna this weekend.
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