The doubts that last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Villarreal had generated around Luis Enrique’s team were completely dispersed on Saturday, as Barcelona’s free-flowing play convinced even the harshest critics of their ability to blow out oppeonents when they perform according to potential.
Despite playing without Andres Iniesta and Neymar who together with Gerard Pique were rested by coach Enrique, Barcelona were dominant in the first half and created a host of chances, although only Luis Suarez managed to hit the target, in the 14th minute.
Barca however extended the fragile 1-0 lead to 4-0 soon after the interval, as Messi scored in the 51st minute, Suarez got his second in the 57th and Turan also wrote his name on the scoreboard barely two minutes later.
The rhythm of the game dwindled somewhat in the final 20 minutes but Aleix Vidal still managed to score Barcelona’s fifth and his first ever goal with the club in the 79th minute.