BARCELONA — Lionel Messi did everything he could to put end to Barcelona's most serious club crisis in years Sunday, first scoring one goal and setting up two more in a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid before denying a swarm of rumors swirling around the star forward. Stifled by Atletico in six winless meetings last season, Messi first shredded the defending champion's vaunted defense with run after run, passing for Neymar to score in the 12th minute and for Luis Suarez to double the lead at Camp Nou in the 35th. He then made up for committing a penalty that led to Mario Mandzukic scoring from the spot in the 57th by scoring three minutes from time for his 25th goal in as many games this season. And after giving Barcelona control of second place at one point behind Real Madrid, Messi gave a rare interview where he put to bed an entire set of rumors following a tumultuous week for the Catalan club that included the firing of its sports director and its president calling for early elections this summer. Messi denied media reports that he had asked for coach Luis Enrique to be fired and that his father, who acts as his agent, had spoken to Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City about a possible transfer. “I wanted to give my version after hearing so many things,” Messi told Barcelona's club television. “I have never asked that they replace a coach, and I never would. This hurts. And it comes from people who want to hurt the club. “I have heard many things, both before and now, that make it look like I run the club. I am a player. I don't take decisions and I don't want to.” As big as his performance was on the pitch, Messi's appearance on club television will likely do more to settle down the club's fans and relieve pressure on Luis Enrique. Atletico, in third, fell four points behind Madrid, which has a game in hand. Elsewhere, Sevilla tightened the race at the top with a 2-0 win at Almeria thanks to goals by Vicente Iborra and Jorge “Coke” Andujar, moving into fourth place two points behind Atletico. Elche moved off last place with a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao in its first victorious visit to the Basque club after 20 trips. Granada fell to the bottom of the standings after a 14th straight game without a win following its 1-1 draw at home with Real Sociedad. Juventus 3 points clear Serie A leader Juventus won 3-1 at Napoli to move three points clear of Roma, which fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Lazio in the capital derby earlier Sunday. Miguel Britos leveled for Napoli, canceling out a stunning Paul Pogba volley, but Juventus restored its advantage five minutes later through Martin Caceres, who was making his first appearance in more than three months. There was a suspicion of offside on that goal and Napoli was further infuriated after having a late equalizer ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon before Arturo Vidal sealed the match in stoppage time. — Agencies
