Messi, Neymar setting pace as La Liga holder remains perfect

Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino was delighted with his side's first-half display as it brushed aside Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Camp Nou on Tuesday to extend its winning start to the league campaign to six games.

After being out-possessed for the first time in more than five years in the 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, Barca looked more like its old self with 68 percent of the ball as it pulled Sociedad to pieces in the first period.

Goals from Neymar, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets put it 3-0 up at the break, and Marc Bartra rounded off the scoring for the host after Alberto de la Bella had pulled a goal back for Sociedad.

"I am happy with everything that we saw. We want to have variation in our play, a change of pace and vertical attacks and it was all there, more in the first half than in the second," Martino said.

"However, we maintained our pressing for the whole match and that is sensational news for us."

In accordance with his policy of rotating and resting his stars when possible, Martino withdrew Messi and Neymar in the final quarter and the Argentine insisted it was his job to protect Messi, even if his compatriot never wants to come off.

"He never wants to leave the field but I have to look after him.

"He needs to be in the right condition for the business end of the season.

"I have spoken with him and he never wants to come off because Leo always wants to play and finish the games. But if I change him it is so he can accumulate rest, I will not change him in a tight game."

The only negative to come out of the match for the host was an injury picked up by Javier Mascherano.

The Argentine had to replaced by Bartra with 10 minutes of the first half remaining due to a hamstring problem and is due to undergo more tests on Wednesday.

"Apparently he has a muscular injury. It didn't have anything to do with the knock he received earlier in the game but it prevented him from running at full capacity," said Martino.

"He brings us professionalism, sacrifice, speed, intelligence, he supports the group and he is player whose importance is very well recognized both within the dressing room and by the fans."

Defeat extended Sociedad's winless streak to five games in all competitions and Busquets believed its more open style helped Barca to find its rhythm.

"It is obvious that some opponents will let you play a little more than others," the midfielder said.

"Sociedad had a great campaign last season and qualified for the Champions League, but we played very well in the first half."

The Spanish international was delighted to open his goalscoring account for the season and admitted his left-footed strike from 20 yards midway through the first half may even be the best goal he has scored.

"It could be (my best goal), it was a very pretty goal from outside the area with my weaker foot. I am happy because it helped the team to win."

Sociedad made the livelier start in chasing its first league win at the Nou Camp in more than 20 years.

Haris Seferovic cracked a shot against the crossbar in the second minute but the home side was ahead three minutes later when Neymar, recruited from Santos in the offseason, bundled over the line after some indecision in the Sociedad defense.

World Player of the Year Messi made it 2-0 with a diving header from the Brazilian's cross three minutes later and Sergio Busquets scored a rare goal to make it 3-0 in the 23rd minute.

The Barca players appeared determined to put on a show after failing to convince in some of their games under new coach Martino and showcased some of the rapid passing that has characterized their play in recent years.

While Barca fans were treated to some breathtaking skill at Nou Camp on the 56th anniversary of the inauguration of Europe's biggest stadium, Atletico Madrid gave another indication it may be challenging for the title come the end of the campaign with its sixth win in six matches.

Diego Costa struck twice in a 2-1 win at home to Osasuna to match Messi on seven for the season as Atletico joined Barca with a maximum 18 points, five ahead of Real Madrid, which plays at promoted Elche on Wednesday.

Also on Tuesday, Malaga beat Almeria 2-0 at home to climb to seventh and Levante drew 1-1 with Valladolid.

(China Daily 09/26/2013 page24)