There were only 27,099 supporters there to see it but Barcelonas lowest crowd of the season watched them give one of their most ruthless displays, beating La Ligas bottom club Elche in the Copa del Rey. Jeers for Luis Enrique and cheers for Lionel Messi echoed around the 98,000-capacity arena early in the first half. The coach is still battling to save his job and he picked his strongest possible side with Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez reunited up front - all three scored in the first half to all but put Barca in the quarter-finals where they will face thee winner of the Madrid derby between Atletico and Real after the formality of next weeks second leg.Many Barcelona supporters were left asking why tinkerman Enrique had rested Gerard Pique, Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic, Neymar and Messi in the previous Sundays difficult trip to Real Sociedad to then play them all against lowly Elche who are currently the worst side in Spanish football. MATCH FACTS Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique (Samper 75), Alba (Correira 60), Bartra; Mascherano, Rakitic, Roberto; Messi, Suárez, Neymar (Adriano 66). Subs not used: Masip Montoya, Munir, Iniesta. Scorers: Neymar (x2), Messi, Suarez, Alba. Elche (5-4-1): Tyton; Cisma (Fragapane 72), Lomban, Suarez, Albacar, Pelegrin; Roco, Fajr, Pasalic, Coro (Jonathas 57); Herrera (Niguez 63). Subs not used: Adrian, Rodriguez, Freixanet, Galvez. Booked: Suarez, Roco, Pelegrin. Referee: David Fernandez Att: 27,099 Suarez looked especially inspired, assisting the first and scoring the second, meaning he now has goals in all three competitions for the club he joined this summer.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 11:31:36 +0000
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