Barca bounce back with 8-0 win
FC Barcelona tonight bounced back from their recent blip in form with a massive eight nil win away to Deportivo La Coruna.Luis Suárez became the first player to be directly involved in seven goals in a single La Liga game scoring four goals and providing three assists. Ivan Rakitic,Lionel Messi, Marc Bartra and Neymar also featured on the score sheet.
Barcelona traveled to Depor desperately seeking a much needed victory following a horrific run of form which saw a nine point lead at the top of La Liga diminished and an early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid.The rampage began when Ivan Rakitic’s corner was turned home by Suárez with 11 minutes played. The hosts squandered two glorious chances in front of goal with Lucas Perez’s flick easily caught by Claudio Bravo before Marc Bartra threw his body on the line to prevent an almost certain goal.
Barca’s second was a textbook tiki taka goal. Neymar fed Messi who played a delicate through ball into the path of Luis Suárez who timed his run to perfection before slotting it home with 24 minutes played. Depor might have hoped for a comeback in the second half but Barcelona were ruthless in the second half. Suárez secured his first assist with a fantastic cross to the onrushing Ivan Rakitic who made it 3-0 just two minutes after the restart. Suárez completed his hat-trick thanks to Messi’s second assist of the game. A perfectly timed run and sublime through ball saw Suarez fire home on 53 minutes.
Neymar was unselfish when he found himself in the box on the 64th minute, he squared the ball to Suárez who scored with his second attempt to sealing a memorable fourth goal. Lionel Messi made it 6-0 with a curling effort through a gap between two Depor defenders the assist coming from who else but Suárez. Barca’s seventh came from an unlikely goalscorer in the form of centre back Marc Bartra. The young Spaniard took full advantage of his opportunity in the starting eleven replacing the suspended Pique. He picked up a loose ball on the half way line and a fantastic solo run led him into the Depor box before sliding it past the outstretched Fernandez. Two minutes later Neymar finally scored forcing the keeper to comit rifling it home. The Brazilians goal was thanks to a fantastic ball from Suárez. 8-0 with 82 minutes played Barcelona’s work was well and truly done.
The Catalans remian on top with 79 points with rivals Atletico and Real Madrid currently in action. The title race looks certain to go down to the wire but this win comes at the perfect time for Luis Enrique’s side.
