Barça brushed off any effects of a busy week of international games with a convincing 1-4 win at the always tricky Getafe with goals from Adriano, Messi (2) and Villa
The trip to Getafe is one of the toughest of the season, but despite having lost a big chunk of the squad to international duty last week and the absence of Iniesta, Alba and Alexis, Barça cruised to a convincing 1-4 win thanks to a first half goal from Adriano , followed by a brace from Messi and one for Villa once the two had come on as subs after the break.
The win makes it four wins from four for Barça, with wins at the two grounds where they lost last season – in Pamplona and Getafe – and a perfect start for Tito Vilanova.
Barça in charge
Despite the absences of Alba, Iniesta, Alexis all unavailable and Messi, Alves and Mascherano on the bench, Barça were soon in charge and dominating possession, with Tello having a chance early on which he could only shoot tamely at the keeper and a couple of good penalty shouts for Pedro and Cesc turned down by the ref.
Thiago comes close, Adriano opens the scoring
With Thiago pulling the strings in the centre, Barça were creating plenty of chances and he nearly scored himself with a lovely piece of skill which ended up with a shot against the bar on the half hour mark. Soon after, Cesc broke through on the left and Adriano fired home to open the scoring. Thiago nearly made it two just before the break, but Moya made a good stop.
Messi turns the game around
Barça continued to dominate at the start of the second half and with Messi – on for Thiago after 58 minutes – the chances began to come thick and fast. Miguel Torres appeared to handle in the box, but the ref saw nothing and then almost straight after Pedro was brought down in the area and this time the penalty was given. Messi made no mistake with a strong drive right down the centre and Barça were two up.
Five minutes later the Argentinean rounded off a great move, tapping in a Montoya centre – two goals in half an hour on the pitch!
Villa back on the score sheet again
Getafe pulled one back when a Sarabia shot deflected off Mascherano to wrong foot Valdes, but it was Barça who had the last word, with a superbly taken goal from David Villa, who has now scored twice in his 55 minutes played so far this season.