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King Leo reigns over Valencia

Lionel Messi again earned his "Best Player in the World" title as Barcelona hammered Valencia 5-1 at the Camp Nou. Messi netted four goals while Xavi put the game beyond any doubt in the 91st minute with Barça's fifth.
FC Barcelona - Valencia 19/02/2012 / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Cesc and Alexis celebrating with the goal scorer

Valencia started brightly and if it weren't for Barcelona's tight offside trap they would've been ahead. But in the 9th minute Unai Emery's men's pressure produced it's reward. An in-swinging cross caught Valdés wrong-footed and allowed Piatti to pounce. The 22 year old tapped the ball past the diving keeper and sent Valencia ahead.

Barcelona's home form has been very impressive this season but with their poor away form looming some fans began to fear the worst. The inexperience of Montaya was a particular concern but the young right back showed his attacking capabilities throughout the game. He produced a splitting pass would've surely produced an equaliser if Pedro had a better first touch.

Lionel Messi had failed to score in his last three league outings but in the 22nd minute he rectified that. Vintage play from Barça gave the Argentine space in the box and after waiting for the goalie to commit himself, tucked the ball in from the acutest of angles. 

To make it worse for Valencia right back Miguel picked up an injury in the build up to the goal. Forcing him to a premature exit from the field. He was replaced by Ricardo Costa.

Five minutes later Messi doubled his and Barcelona's goal tally. A great pass from Iniesta found a charging Abidal who also produced a beautiful pass into the path of Messi. The 24 year old saw his first shot saved but then spilled back to his feet. Messi didn't waste the second chance and buried the ball into the roof of the net.  

Straight from the restart Barcelona again looked certain to score. Alexis' run was met with a weighted pass and if Diego Alves hadn't been on top form that would've been the Catalans' third.

Five minutes before the break, Cesc had a chance at goal of the season. Iniesta chipped the ball over the Valencia defence to find the summer signing. Cesc positioned himself well and overhead kicked the ball past Alves. A move worthy of a goal that struck the bar and bounced out.

The second half started where the first left off, Fábregas again broke clear of the defence but his clever curling shot was tipped away by the keeper. The keeper again denied Barcelona when Montoya's cross found a free Messi. A perfect header was met by a perfect reaction save from Alves keeping Valencia in the tie.

At a rare time when Alves was beaten, Cesc and Barcelona failed to take full advantage. The keeper saved Montaya's effort but only palmed to Fábregas. The goalie was saved though as the ball bobbled in the penalty spot and caused Cesc to blast high. 

A quiet night for Víctor Valdés could've been made worse had he not been alive to Feghouli's effort in the 69th minute.

FC Barcelona - Valencia 19/02/2012 / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB
Messi celebrating his fourth on an emphatic night for the Argentine
With the introduction of Tello came Barcelona's third of the night. The La Masia graduate blasted a shot at Alves, who could only palm the ball into the path of Messi. A chance far too easy for a player of his calibre, Messi easily blasted the ball into the back of the net for his hat-trick. 

Four minutes from time Messi completed the master-class. Classic play from the three time Ballon d'Or winner as he broke clear of the defence and lifted the ball over a sprawling Alves. Scoring his fourth of the night, 42nd of the season and 146th league goal in 200 games. 
A rested Xavi got a chance to strech his legs late on in the game and even added to the goal tally. Similar to Messi's as some scrappy defending from Valencia allowed Xavi to lift the ball over the goalie and into the back of the net. Ensuring, if there was any doubt, that Barcelona gained the three points. 

Full time result: Barcelona 5-1 Valencia

Goal scorers: Barcelona: Messi (21, 26, 75 & 84) Xavi (91) Valencia: Piatti (8)

Team lineup: 
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés, Montoya, Puyol, Piqué, Abidal, Fábregas (Thiago 77), Busquets, Iniesta (Xavi 86), Alexis, Messi, Pedro (Tello 68) Subs: Pinto, Adriano, Cuenca, Bartra
Formation 4-3-3

Valencia: Formation: Rami, Víctor Ruiz, Mathieu, Miguel (Ricardo Costa 25), Alberto Costa (Mehmet Topal 82), Feghouli, Jonas, Piatti (Jordi Alba 66), Soldado Subs: Bruno, Aduriz, Guaita, Dealbert, Pablo Hernández, Parejo, Juan Bernat
Formation: 4-2-3-1

Stadium: Camp Nou

Referee: Turienzo Álvarez

Star player: Lionel Messi

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