Barcelona’s new double-act delivered once more as Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati led them to a Three-Zero victory at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Thursday, regardless of Clement Lenglet being despatched off within the first half. After scoring twice in Barca’s opening recreation of the season, Fati struck early at a blustery Balaidos, just for Lenglet to gather a second yellow card within the 42nd minute for pulling again Denis Suarez. However even right down to 10, Ronald Koeman’s side have been undeterred and Messi made the lead extra snug shortly after half-time, his weaving run and shot diverted in for an own-goal by Lucas Olaza.
Celta hit the crossbar however by no means actually threatened a comeback and when the ball spilled free after one other Messi sprint in injury-time, Sergi Roberto made certain of the factors.
“We did an excellent job,” stated Koeman. “I am very happy with this staff, we labored arduous, performed with numerous self-discipline with a person much less and even then we made one of the best possibilities. I am very, very comfortable.”
Victory makes it two wins out of two for Barcelona, who began by thrashing Villarreal 4-0 on Sunday but this was arguably a extra spectacular efficiency, and never simply due to the numerical drawback.
Fati dazzled once more. The 17-year-old continued his sensible begin to the season with one other sensible end and he supplied the type of tempo and penetration that this staff so usually lacked final time period.
Philippe Coutinho, in the meantime, regarded again to the Coutinho of outdated. Deployed in a extra central attacking place in Koeman’s Four-2-Three-1 system, the Brazilian was aggressive with out the ball and adventurous with it He was unfortunate to not rating within the second half when his shot cannoned again off the publish.
Maybe most encouraging for Koeman was seeing the likes of Fati and Coutinho shine on an evening when, in reality, Messi was not at his finest, even when his show included two excellent runs, each of which led to objectives.
Crimson card
Koeman welcomed Messi saying this week he needed to place an finish to his “disagreements” with the membership whereas good performances like these are maybe more than likely to persuade the Argentinian the membership is transferring ahead.
Celta, who solely simply escaped relegation final season, could not have supplied the stiffest examination however they’ve a superb file at residence towards Barca, who may simply have caved after Lenglet’s crimson card.
Lenglet will likely be suspended for the sport towards his former membership Sevilla on Sunday.
Fati opened the scoring within the 11th minute after Coutinho performed a fast cross following a poor clearance from Jeison Murillo. Permitting the ball to roll throughout his physique, Fati manoeuvred it away from Joseph Aidoo and with the surface of his proper foot, steered contained in the nook.
Gerard Pique was fortunate to not be despatched off, spared as a result of Suarez was offside, however Lenglet paid the worth for planting a hand on Suarez’s shoulder as he regarded to tug away.
Messi helped to make it two after half-time, darting away from three Celta defenders earlier than his shot took a merciless deflection off Olaza and crept contained in the publish.
Promoted
He thought he had scored once more after Coutinho’s shot got here again to him off the woodwork and within the 95th minute, it was the 33-year-old’s run and shot that fell to the toes of Sergi, who smashed in for a 3rd.
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