A sensational display from Barça at La Rosaleda against a threatening Malaga side. A stunning hat-trick from Messi, and another goal from Alexis, reflected the Barça superiority. Victor Valdes made a vital triple save in the 15th minute.
Barça ended the first round of League games in the best way possible. Away at the imposing Malaga, it was a fantastic display, based on control of the match and efficiency in front of goal. Valdes kept the team alive at the beginning and a monumental Messi guaranteed the three points that take them into the Clasico with their morale really high. With his umpteenth hat-trick, Messi has now scored 22 goals in the League Championship.
Gradually, Barça imposed their technical superiority in midfield, and Messi was the channel for the Barça attacks. In the 32nd minute, the three time Ballon d'Or winner put a ball out wide for Adriano, and then met the Brazilian’s cross to place a header into the back of the net, just like a heading specialist. The Argentinian’s 20th goal of the season gave the away team confidence, and they had over 70% of the possession, even though Malaga were trying to play football.
The situation was under control, but with the lesson learned, Barça came out with the intention of killing off the game. In minute 47, Willy Caballero managed to save 2 Thiago efforts (one from another great Adriano cross), but Alexis was on the spot to make it 2-0. Almost immediately after that Messi recovered the ball, and with a trademark slalom he got to the edge of the box, and placed an unstoppable shot past Caballero.
The situation was under control, but with the lesson learned, Barça came out with the intention of killing off the game. In minute 47, Willy Caballero managed to save 2 Thiago efforts (one from another great Adriano cross), but Alexis was on the spot to make it 2-0. Almost immediately after that Messi recovered the ball, and with a trademark slalom he got to the edge of the box, and placed an unstoppable shot past Caballero. (via FCBarcelona.cat)
[Match Stats]
Málaga CF: Caballero; Gámez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Monreal; Cazorla (Recio, m. 78), Maresca (Rondón, m. 60), Camacho, Eliseu; Isco and Van Nistelrooy (Sebastián Fernández, m. 60).
FC Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Mascherano, Piqué, Abidal; Thiago Alcántara, Busquets, Adriano (Dos Santos, m. 67), Iniesta (Pedro, m. 73); Messi and Alexis Sánchez (Cuenca, m. 64).
Goals: 0-1, M. 32: Messi. 0-2, M. 47: Alexis Sánchez. 0-3, M. 50: Messi. 0-4, M. 81: Messi. 1-4; M. 85: Rondón.
Referee: Undiano Mallenco (Navarro College). He showed yellow card to jellyfish Camacho (m. 62).
Incidents: Game for the first day of the League representative in the Rose Garden Stadium before 30,000 spectators.
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