Barcelona start the defence of their La Liga crown with a victory

Barcelona started their La Liga campaign in familiar style at the Nou Camp hammering Villarreal 5-0.

The home team started with just one recognised defender Eric Abidal in the team, with last seasons makeshift centre-backs Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets playing alongside the Frenchman at the back.

However it didn’t matter as it was the Barcelona attack who dominated this encounter. Barcelona took the lead in the 24th minute.

Spanish under-21 international playmaker Thiago Alcantara, weaving through the Villarreal defence, before firing past Diego Lopez in the Villarreal goal.

Villarreal’s attack was quiet in the first half as Barcelona dominated. Their best moments came from Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi who fired an effort into the side netting and hit the crossbar with another effort, which wouldn’t have counted anyway as the referee’s assistant had flagged for the Italian being offside.

The European Champions doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Brilliant Argentinian Lionel Messi played a ball through the Villarreal defence, new signing Cesc Fabregas latched on to it and fired home after rounding Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez.

Barcelona made it 3-0 in the 47th minute. Midfielder Thiago was again involved as the little midfielder played a superb ball through the Villarreal defence to Chilean Alexis Sanchez, the attacker took a few steps further before firing low past Lopez at his far post.

And it got worse for Villarreal in the 51st minute as Barcelona went four up. Andres Iniesta midfielder played a superb ball through the helpless Villarreal defence and Lionel Messi got there before Lopez, rounded the keeper and fired home from an acute angle.

It wasn’t all good news for the champions though as winger Pedro went off, apparently injured after a clash with Cristian Zapata. Messi scored his second in 75th minute, the impressive Thiago squaring it to the Argentinian to slide the ball home just ahead of Lopez, after Messi had put the youngster through the middle of the Villarreal defence.

Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes prevented Villarreal scoring a consolation goal with a superb save from Javier Cumunas’ well struck long range effort. That effort was the only time that the away side really threatened the champions in the second half.

In the end it was a comfortable victory for Barcelona. They displayed their trademark movement and close passing to devastating effect. Even more encouraging for the champions was the displays of La Liga debutants Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez.

The pair fitted into the team perfectly and didn’t look out of place. Another player who was impressive was playmaker Thiago. The little midfielder impressed with his vision and passing. We are likely to see far more of the youngster this season.

With Real Madrid winning 6-0 at Real Zaragoza yesterday, Barcelona knew they had to send out a signal of intent to their rivals. This display against one of the better teams in La Liga, proved it will be difficult for Real to better them this season.