FC Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano, 3-1

[flywoman]

Alexis wants in on the Messilla action

More of a mini-review due to time constraints. In what will hopefully be his last match coaching Barcelona this season, Jordi Roura fielded a starting line-up that included Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Cesc Fabregas with Xavi Hernandez out due to another hamstring injury. As Carles Puyol just had knee surgery, the back line consisted of Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, and Adriano Correia, who unfortunately injured his thigh early in the match and had to be replaced by the blonde formerly known as Dani Alves. The front line featured David Villa, Lionel Messi, and Alexis Sanchez - and a lot of sumptuous Messilla magic.

The most surprising thing about this match was the switch in tactics to the rapid counterattack rather than patient passing and crosses into the box, perhaps in part because of the absence of Xavi. Villa got the first goal, assisted by Messi 25 minutes into the match. Messi scored the second and third on either side of the halftime break, both assisted by Villa. He probably would have gotten even more, but the pitch must have been too wet - he and several other players were sliding and stumbling all over the place. Messi also donned the captain's armband for the first time in a La Liga match when Iniesta came off for Thiago in the second half. Rayo Vallecano played aggressively, earning four yellow cards in the process, but Tamudo's goal on entering the pitch in the 70th minute was not enough, although it certainly provoked an awful lot of yelling from keeper Jose Manuel Pinto.

We now pause for international break, with Spain facing Finland and Argentina facing Venezuela on Friday, and then Spain facing France and Argentina facing Bolivia on Tuesday. I hope that both David and Leo maintain this run of excellent form!