Barca bring the run to an end
Atletico lose by five goals to nil after a Messi hat-trick
Atletico failed to get their fourth straight win and were beaten 5-0 in the Nou Camp. Goals by Villa, Miranda (pp) and Messi (3) handed Barcelona to 3 points in convincing fashion. The defending champions sealed the match in a first 25 minutes with here quick fire goals.
However, Atletico almost struck first. Manzano's team came close in the sixth minute Reyes supplying the pass for Tiago who shot against the crossbar from the edge of the area.
The opening goal came when Xavi spotted Villa in space on the left, his inch perfect pass found the Spaniard who beat Courtois with a tidy finish.
Barcelona took the momentum and not long later made it 2-0 in the 14th minute. Good play between Xavi, Messi and Pedro around the area resulted in an unfortunate bounce going in of Miranda. Although Messi was offside, the goal stood.
The barca number 10 was the star of the remainder of the match. His first arriving on the 25 minute mark meaning the Catalans went in at half time with a three goal lead. It was in the 78th minute when he got his second and his teams forth. And despite Manzanos men coming close with good play from Adra Turan and Antonio Lopez, it was the Argentinian who added the fifth in stoppage time.
Adrian tested Valdez on the 83rd minute after a pass from Diego Ribas but it wasn’t to be Atletico’s night. Atletico remain on seven points from five games while Barcelona move on the eleven points.
Adrian was able to catch up on 83 after a pass from Diego Ribas in the race, but Valdes was providential to keep the door of his team to zero. This time there could be.After the defeat, Atletico stays with seven points from five matches while Barca amounting to eleven.
FÚTBOL CLUB BARCELONA Víctor Valdés, Alves, Mascherano, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Thiago, Cesc, Villa, Pedro & Messi. ATLÉTICO DE MADRID Courtois, Perea, Miranda, Godín, Antonio López, Gabi, Tiago, Mario, Diego, Reyes &Falcao. SUBS Half Time. Arda Turan and Salvio for Mario and Reyes. Min.53. Piqué for Busquets. Min.71. Keita for Cesc. Min. 79. Adrián for Tiago. Min. 80. Maxwell for Abidal. YELLOW CARDS Min. 71. Piqué Min. 72. Perea
FÚTBOL CLUB BARCELONA Víctor Valdés, Alves, Mascherano, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Thiago, Cesc, Villa, Pedro & Messi. ATLÉTICO DE MADRID Courtois, Perea, Miranda, Godín, Antonio López, Gabi, Tiago, Mario, Diego, Reyes &Falcao. SUBS Half Time. Arda Turan and Salvio for Mario and Reyes. Min.53. Piqué for Busquets. Min.71. Keita for Cesc. Min. 79. Adrián for Tiago. Min. 80. Maxwell for Abidal. YELLOW CARDS Min. 71. Piqué Min. 72. Perea