Messi and Neymar - teaming up

The connection between Messi and Neymar did not just work yesterday, it was pure magic. Something to behold. The Brazilian was the first to score, securing his first Spanish league goal into the bargain. He already had one under his belt from the Super Cup at the Calderon, but had not yet managed to hit the mark in La Liga. Three minutes later, success came courtesy of Messi, who headed in an extraordinary assist from Neymar.


'La Pulga', meanwhile, has already notched up seven goals in the domestic championship and has scored in the last 13 consecutive league games played at Camp Nou. He is now just one goal away from Raúl's 323 Real Madrid record. An awful lot, it has to be said.

The two players were subbed off to great applause from the crowd, but Messi did not seem happy with Martino's decision. The Argentine saw his number being shown in the 80th minute and headed for the bench looking disgruntled. Tata called to him several times, but 'La Pulga' did not turn around. It is well-known that Messi likes to play every minute he possibly can.

"Messi never wants to leave the pitch, but my duty is to take care of him and avoid an injury. We need Leo to be in top form. Every time the game permits us to take care of him, we will", was Tata Martino's comment on the matter.

'Messi never wants to be substituted' - Martino

The Argentine was unhappy with being replaced on Tuesday but the Camp Nou boss has defended the decision as long-term thinking.

Gerardo Martino has defended substituting star player Lionel Messi during Barcelona's 4-1 triumph over Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

The Argentine showed obvious discontent after being replaced in the second half of the Liga win, but the head coach insists that his decision was made in the best interest of the player and the club in the long term, while praising the team's overall performance.

"Messi never wants to be subbed off, but it's my task to take care of him," Martino told reporters after the match. "We need him at end of season as well as now.

"My way of thinking won't change, I repeated the whole time how I want to play, maybe this game helps some to see things clearer.

"We've played a very good game. The way we played in the first half was wonderful - it was a pity we couldn’t score more."

The 54-year-old went on to laud €57 million man Neymar following his debut Liga goal, while insisting that Alexis Sanchez played well despite not scoring.

"Neymar is an exceptional player," the Argentine trainer added. "It has surprised us how hard he wants to work for the team.

"Alexis didn't score, but he worked very hard today, both in defence and attack. He does things that few forwards do."

Barcelona continued their perfect start with win over Real Sociedad 4-1

Barcelona continued their perfect start to the La Liga season as they topped fellow Champions League participants Real Sociedad 4-1 Tuesday night at the Camp Nou.

A first league goal for Neymar and strikes from Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Marc Bartra keyed the Barca victory. An Alberto De la Bella goal for Real Sociedad prevented the shutout.

As has been his mantra all season, Barcelona manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino made more changes from the team that defeated Rayo Vallecano over the weekend. Andres Iniesta was brought back into the fold in the middle of the pitch where he was joined by Xavi and Busquets. In the back goalkeeper Victor Valdés directed a back four of Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Javier Macherano and Adriano. Up front, Martino reverted back to his South American trio of Neymar, Messi and Chilean Alexis Sánchez.


Barca struck quickly with two goals inside the first ten minutes. A fourth minute cross from Sánchez was poorly dealt with by the Real Sociedad defense and the Brazilian had an easy to tap-in to officially open up his La Liga scoring account. Four minutes later Neymar played the role of playmaker as he galloped down the left side before crossing into the area. Originally it looked as if Neymar's intended target was Sanchez but the ball spun over the head of the Chilean and right into the path of a diving Messi who beat Real Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo at the far post. It was Messi’s seventh career goal in eight matches versus the San Sebastian side.

The hosts added their third in the 23rd minute as an intended Bravo clearance landed at the feet of Busquets who rifled in a left-footed shot from outside the area.

It took about an hour before Real Sociedad ever found their way into the match. Left back Alberto de la Bella cut the deficit to 3-1 for the visitors with a 63rd minute goal but the majority of the work was done by Imanol Agirretxe who showed great touch by controlling a deflected ball at the back post while being defended by Piqué before slipping a pass into De la Bella for the goal.

Two minutes later the Basques nearly made it 3-2 but Antoine Griezmann’s shot from distance was nicely saved by Valdés, who then made another stop of the rebound effort from Marco Sangalli.

Barca sealed the match with their fourth in the 76th minute as substitute Bartra scored his first ever league goal with an easy tap-in after good work from Messi on the left side of the area before crossing to the young defender.

The defending league champions will look to continue their unbeaten start with a trip to newly-promoted Almeria this Saturday.

Neymar thrilled with debut Liga goal

"I'm very happy with my first goal in the Liga," the 21-year-old is quoted as having told reporters after the match. "The win was more important though. It may not have been a really nice goal, but the main thing is it went in!

"Messi and I understand each other better each day. He's a genius.

"I'm not suffering from too many fouls, it's normal, it's part of the game."

Busquets injures Mascherano

Shortly after kick off, Busquets stamped on Mascherano's knee with his studs and the Camp Nou feared the worst. The Argentine reached down to hold the injured area and, after limping for a while, continued playing.

As time passed, however, the pain did not subside and half an hour into the match, Marc Bartra started warming up. The youth team player substituted Mascherano in the 34th minute.