Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez helped themselves to a wonder strike each as Barcelona strolled to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Almeria on Wednesday.
La Blaugrana’s six changes started in defence, where Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu are both rested, leaving Marc Bartra and Javier Mascherano to take the reins in central defence. In midfield, Sergio Busquets’ yellow-card suspension was covered by Sergi Roberto, while Ivan Rakitic and Xavi Hernandez replaced Andres Iniesta and Rafinha.
However, the most notable change lay in the form of a rare start on the left wing for Pedro Rodriguez, who capitalised on Neymar’s recent poor form.
A win for Barca would have moved them seven points clear of nearest rivals Real Madrid atop the League standings. An interesting subplot also saw former Catalan teammates Luis Enrique and Sergi Barjuan – debuting as Almeria Coach – lock managerial horns for the first time.
The hosts dominated the first half for most part as they quickly imposed their style of play on the Andalucians, who – to their credit – didn’t look like shirking away from the challenge, despite the clear gulf in class between the two teams.
It was then left for Messi to conjure up a piece of individual brilliance, and so he did on the right-hand edge of the Almeria box, leaving his marker for dead before making space for himself with a burst of acceleration and curling a superb effort past Julian.
The floodlights were then opened after the restart, with Suarez doing his best to better Messi’s strike with a similarly-impeccable finish, surging in-field from the right-hand side and bending the ball into the top corner of the visiting net.
With Barca in cruise control and slowing the tempo down to their liking, they found their their third goal when Xavi’s corner was beautifully guided home by Bartra, before rounding off their work for the evening with Suarez’s tap-in from a Pedro cross.
There were also two disallowed goals, the first of which was rightly chalked off as Messi fouled his marker in the build-up. However, Thomas Partey was unfortunate to see his acrobatic volley at the death ruled offside.
Barcelona 4-0 Almeria
Messi 33, Suarez 55, Bartra 75, Suarez 90
Barcelona: Bravo; Alves (Montoya 64), Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano; Sergi Roberto, Rakitic (Rafinha 67), Xavi; Messi, Suarez, Pedro
Almeria: Julian; Casado, Trujillo, Ximo, Marin; Espinosa (Mane 79), Thomas; Edgar (Zongo 72), Corona, Silva (Soriano 56); Thievy
Referee: Hernandez Hernandez
