Five-Star Barca Outclass Elche In LALIGA Op…

Defending champions FC Barcelona were in a rampant mood as they thumped Elche CF 5-0 in their opening LALIGA encounter on Sunday night.

LALIGA
Teams: Elche v FC Barcelona
Result: 0-5
Scorers: Raphinha (67′, 14′), López (79′, 71′), Adeyemi (45′)

The title holders, who have had a busy off-season with big-name signings and departures, began the defence of their crown at a team that hasn’t been able to handle them in recent times, which included claiming a league double last term.

Barcelona were keen to continue their dominance over the Elche and raced ahead in the 15th minute when captain Raphinha converted a penalty after he was brought down from a challenge by David Affengruber in the 18-yard area.

Affengruber could’ve redeemed himself two minutes thereafter with a header in the area following a corner-kick by Gonzalo Villar, but the effort nestled high and wide of the intended target.

New signing Karim Adeyemi doubled Barcelona’s lead a minute to halftime after he made space out wide and went on the half-turn to bring a through pass from Raphinha under control and tucked in the bottom-corner.

Scroll through the gallery above to see action from Barca’s big win.

Raphinha continued to be impactful a minute in the second half and raced in-behind the defence to get onto a delightful through pass from Lamine Yamal to get a shot in, but Matias Dituro smothered.

Elche showed no threat to the reigning champions who saw fit to reshuffle their personnel in the midway point of the second half and debuted Anthony Gordon with Dani Olmo introduced too as Yamal and Adeyemi made way.

Gordon made an immediate on his Barcelona debut three minutes in, as he pulled to the left of the area before playing a well-weighted pass for Raphinha, who took one touch before calmly slotting into the bottom corner to complete his brace..

The former Newcastle United man was in again inside the final 20 minutes and raced through over the halfway line, clean on goal to play a simple pass to Fermin Lopez to slot in amidst the presence of Dituro.

Fermin completed a brace of his own ten minutes later when he came short to pick up a forward pass from Xavi Espart and turned his marker with ease to slot in the bottom-corner, rounding off an emphatic evening for the Spanish champions.

Key Performers:

Fermin Lopez and Raphinha were the chiefs destroyers for Hansi Flick’s charges on the night, with both players bagging two goals each on the night, where they gave the Elche defenders no room to rest.

Next Three League Fixtures:

Elche: Racing Santander (A), Real Sociedad (A), Athletic Bilbao (A)

FC Barcelona: Athletic Bilbao (H), Rayo Vallecano (H), Valencia (A)

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