Lionel Messi made his much anticipated return to the Barcelona team last night and, as expected, he returned with a bang – scoring two goals in Barca’s 4-0 victory over Getafe in the Copa del Rey.
Some experts had speculated that Messi might start last night’s game but, as predicted here on La Liga Blog, he began on the substitutes bench. Gerardo Martino waited until the 63rd minute to send the Argentine maestro on as a substitute for Andres Iniesta but when he did the atmosphere at the Camp Nou lifted.
It was the ideal moment for his return. Barcelona were already two nil up by this point thanks to a brace from Cesc Fabregas, this allowed Messi the freedom to enjoy his half hour run out rather than having to chase the game and throw himself into potentially dangerous tackles. And, of course, Messi enjoyed the game in the only way the he knows.
In the 89th minute the moment that all Barcelona fans had been waiting for came. There seemed little threat when Sergio threaded a through ball into the area but the ball fortuitously found its way to Messi who had the simple task of tapping it into the Getafe net.
The Messi that we all know and love was back on display deep into stoppage time. It was the 93rd minute when he set off on a trademark mazy run before slamming the ball past Jordi Codena. Messi and his manager will be pleased with this workout and he seemed to be suffering no ill effects from the thigh injury that has kept out for the last two months.
On this showing Atletico Madrid will have their hands full when they take on Barcelona on Saturday in the most mouthwatering clash of the La Liga season so far.
