Luis Enrique got off to a winning start as Barcelona manager as they shrugged off Javier Mascherano’s first-half red card to beat Elche 3-0 thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi on Sunday.
Argentina’s Messi put the disappointment of losing the FIFA World Cup final to Germany in his last competitive outing behind him to open the scoring, but Barca were momentarily rocked by Mascherano’s dismissal for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity moments later.
However, 18-year-old Munir El Haddadi made the game safe with a classy lofted finish on his debut a minute into the second half before Messi rounded off the scoring.
Photo: EPA
“I have to be delighted with that start,” Enrique said after the game. “As we expected we had a little bit of difficulty creating chances at the start because Elche are very well-organized defensively, but bit by bit we began to find space and opportunities.”
Messi looked back to his best throughout the 90 minutes after his tired showings toward the end of the World Cup in Brazil and Enrique was in no doubt that he has inherited the best player in the world.
“With Leo playing in his element we have taken the first step and now we move onto the second. It is clear that Messi is the best player in the world. He has a unique quality that it is easy to see. Giving assists, scoring goals, pressing, defending — he does everything,” the new Barcelona manager added.
Photo: AFP
Two goals in the Catalan club’s final pre-season friendly romp over Mexican side Club Leon on Monday last week had been enough to earn Munir his senior debut in the absence of the injured Neymar and suspended Luis Suarez.
The 18-year-old had the first meaningful effort of the game at the Camp Nou when he smashed a shot off the angle of post and bar on 22 minutes.
Barca captain for the evening Andres Iniesta then also hit the bar from range as the hosts dominated possession without clearing too many clear-cut chances.
However, Elche were punished for giving away possession cheaply near their area three minutes before halftime as Sergio Busquets played in Messi and the Argentine sidestepped two defenders before slotting home on his trusted left foot.
Yet minutes later, the complexion of the game appeared to change as Mascherano was shown a straight red for clipping Garry Rodrigues as he galloped clear on goal.
Regardless, the hosts were barely bothered by los Franjiverdes’ numerical advantage as Munir flicked home Ivan Rakitic’s pass into the far corner a minute after the restart.
Messi then put a seal on a comfortable three points for Barca as he again left three Elche defenders trailing before side-footing past the helpless Vicente Guaita.
Earlier on Sunday, Sociedad Deportiva Eibar made a dream start to their first-ever La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win over Basque rivals Real Sociedad in front of a 5,200- strong capacity crowd.
Javi Lara scored the only goal of the game with a wonderful curling free-kick just before half-time.
Enrique’s old side RC Celta de Vigo also made a winning start to the season by beating Getafe 3-1 at Balaidos, while Villarreal likewise got off on the right foot by blanking Levante UD 2-0.
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