Goals from Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi secured a vital 3-1 victory over champions Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp.
Atletico Madrid started brightly and took the game to the Catalan side but Barcelona proved more critical with Messi just put his effort wide in the ninth minute after a good run from Neymar. It was the Brazilian who gave Barca the lead in the 11th minute before Suarez doubled the lead ten minutes before the break. Mario Mandzukic halved their lead from a penalty spot after the break but Messi wrapped up the three points right at the end.
Two minutes later the home side took the lead, Messi got past Diego Godin brilliantly the Argentine crossed it in for Suarez who stumbled but the ball fell perfectly for Neymar who managed to slide it into the net. Jordi Alba came close to getting Barca’s second when his thunderous effort was spilled by the Miguel Angel Moya, the keeper then did well to keep out Suarez’s follow up. Neymar really should have got his and Barcelona’s second in the 23rd minute after Suarez showed great skill to get past the defender who then crossed it into the Brazilian but he somehow put the effort wide.
Ten minutes before half-time Luis Enrique’s side doubled their lead, Messi looked to have brought the ball down with his arm in the build-up but play carried on and Argentine ran at the defence before playing a brilliant through ball into Suarez who placed it in the bottom corner.Atletico were gifted a way back into the tie when Messi clipped the Atleti player in the box, Mandzukic lined up the set piece and hit straight down the middle of goal.
Atleti continued to battle for an equaliser and almost got it after Ander Turan brilliantly back heeled it through the legs of Gerard Pique to substitute Fernando Torres whose shot is palmed away from Bravo, he then recovered to catch the follow up. Neymar then did a mazy run down the wing before crossing it over to Messi but his shot was smothered by the keeper.
With four minutes left Messi wrapped up the tie. The Argentine brought the ball down before playing it out to Ivan Rakitic who then squared it back to Messi who slipped but was up again to slot home into an empty net.
This was a vital victory for Barcelona after their hectic week off the field and will look to keep the pressure on Real Madrid and keep up their good form when they travel to Elche in the Copa Del Rey. Atletico will be disappointed that they have come away with nothing especially after their dangerous start but will want to bounce back in their second leg against Real Madrid midweek.