Gerardo Martino's side breezed to victory on
Saturday to continue their 100% start to the
Liga season
Lionel Messi scored his eighth La Liga goal of
the season before coming off injured in
Barcelona's 2-0 win over Almeria on Saturday.
The triumph ensured that Gerardo Martino
became the first Barcelona coach to win his
first seven league games, but it came at a cost
as their star man was forced off with a thigh
strain eight minutes after opening the scoring
in the first half.
Almeria offered no attacking threat in the
second period at Estadio de los Juegos
Mediterraneos and left-back Adriano
capitalised to add the second after the break.
The hosts went into the match as the only side
currently in La Liga to have never beaten
Barcelona in the top flight.
Coach Francisco replaced Sebastian Dubarbier
with Christian Fernandez as he plotted a way to
end that run.
The Blaugrana eased to a 4-1 win over Real
Sociedad last time out and Martino made three
changes from that success.
Javier Mascherano, Xavi and Neymar missed
out as Marc Bartra, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro
came in.
The first 20 minutes were dominated by the
champions, but they found breaking through
Almeria's well-organised back line
troublesome.
However, a moment of magic from Messi in
the 21st minute gave Barcelona the lead.
The Argentine cut in from the right and fired a
left-footed strike in off the far post, but his
day would soon end in disappointment as the
attacker was withdrawn, though he did manage
to walk off the field.
Almeria created two good openings towards
the end of the first half as Angel Trujillo nearly
connected with Suso's inswinging free-kick and
then former Barcelona B forward Rodri hit a
stinging shot at Victor Valdes.
Barcelona appeared more focused at the
beginning of the second half and Alexis
Sanchez almost doubled their lead as he broke
through on goal, but goalkeeper Esteban
produced an excellent tackle.
The visitors were more clinical next time,
however.
Fabregas got down the left side and played a
low cross into the danger area for full-back
Adriano to poke past the helpless Esteban in
the 54th minute.
Another defender, Bartra, was involved in the
very next attack and after a surging run
through the middle, he laid the ball off to
Pedro who hammered a shot just wide of the
left post.
Adriano had a chance to get his second 13
minutes from time, but the Brazilian could
only put his effort wide, while Barta should
have got Barcelona's third when he missed the
target from close range.
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