Lionel Messi took just three minutes to score on his return from injury as Barcelona enjoyed the perfect preparation for the visit of Manchester City in midweek with a 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday. The Spanish champions were already 3-0 up thanks to Luis Suarez and a double from Rafinha when Messi was introduced after nearly a month out with a groin problem just before the hour mark and wasted no time in scoring his ninth goal of the season.
Barca trail league leaders Sevilla by a point after the Andalusians won away from home in La Liga for the first time in 23 games, triumphing 3-2 at Leganes. Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid can move back to the top of the table when they face Granada and Real Betis respectively later on Saturday. "It was a complete performance," said Barca boss Luis Enrique. "We have Leo back and it took him no time to be back in top form."
Barca have traditionally struggled on weekends following international breaks and fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Alaves on their return to action in September. Deportivo had also drawn 2-2 on their last two visits to the Camp Nou, but never threatened another upset as Barca got back to winning ways after losing 4-3 to Celta Vigo two weeks ago. Neymar smashed a volley against the bar and Suarez somehow headed the rebound over early on.
However, Barca had to wait just 21 minutes to open the scoring when Rafinha exchanged a one-two with Suarez before drilling a low shot that had too much power for German Lux. Rafinha bundled home a second 15 minutes later after Lux had saved Gerard Pique's initial effort. Suarez moved level with Antoine Griezmann as La Liga's top scorer with six this season when he brilliantly turned away from the Deportivo defence when receiving Neymar's through ball before slotting home the third.
The Uruguayan then smacked the post himself on the volley before he was replaced by Paco Alcacer at half-time to keep him fresh for the visit of City on Wednesday. Messi was next to be introduced from the bench and took just three touches to find the net when he flicked another Neymar assist over the helpless Lux. Deportivo were reduced to 10 men 25 minutes from time when Laure's frustration boiled over as he saw red for elbowing Neymar in the face. Alcacer missed three golden opportunities to register his first Barca goal. And Lux produced a brilliant flying stop to prevent Messi rounding off his return with a fifth.
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