Messi, Neymar on target as Barca hit Rayo for six

Barcelona warmed up for their highly anticipated Champions League clash with Manchester City in midweek with a 6-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano to remain on top of La Liga on goal difference. Atletico Madrid remain level on points with the Catalans as they too were 3-0 winners over Valladolid on Saturday. Adriano got Barcelona off to a flying start when he curled home the opener inside two minutes. Lionel Messi doubled Barca’s lead before half-time with a delightful lob over Ruben Martinez. The Argentine then teed up Alexis Sanchez to make it three before Pedro rounded off a wonderful team move involving Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. Messi got his second of the evening midway through the second- half to overtake Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano as the third- highest scorer of all-time in La Liga on 228 goals. And Neymar rounded off a perfect evening for the hosts on his return from a sprained ankle when he blasted home the sixth from long-range two minutes from time. “Today was probably the best (game of the season) because we had intensity, we pressed well, our passing was good and we knew when and when not to play out from the back,” said Barca boss Gerardo Martino. “Results always change the opinion of the game, but for me the first half against Valencia or second-half against Sevilla were as good as today. “Obviously the most difficult thing is sustaining that for 90 minutes and if we can continue that like we did today, it would be almost perfection.” Martino had handed a rest to Xavi Hernandez, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba with the City clash in mind, whilst Neymar was named on the bench after a month out. Adriano was one of those handed a start by the changes and he took just 90 seconds to make his mark with a fine strike from 25 yards. Messi and Pedro were then unfortunate to both strike the woodwork as Barca laid seige upon the Rayo goal in the early stages. However, Victor Valdes had to be alive to prevent the visitors levelling when he bravely parried the ball away from the feet of Alberto Bueno before blocking Iago Falque’s follow-up effort. It seemed only a matter of time before Barca found a second goal, though, and it duly arrived when Messi clipped home Fabregas’ pass over the advancing Ruben. The four-time World Player of the Year turned provider seven minutes after half-time as his through ball was dispatched by Alexis Sanchez for his 15th league goal of the season. Barca’s best was yet to come as a sensational backheel from Iniesta freed Fabregas inside the area and he unselfishly squared for Pedro to slot home from close range. Neymar was then introduced for the first time in three weeks, but it was Messi who was next on the scoresheet as he slotted Sanchez’s pass into the far corner. Messi was then withdrawn to keep him in reserve for the Etihad on Tuesday, but Barca’s hunger for goals continued and Neymar rounded off the scoring as he fired brilliantly into the top corner from outside the area. Atletico get back on track Earlier, two goals inside the first four minutes guided Atletico to a comfortable win over Valladolid. After three consecutive defeats in league and Cup it was imperative for Diego Simeone’s men to get back to winning ways if they were to maintain their title challenge and they couldn’t have made a better start. Raul Garcia opened the scoring from a well-worked free-kick after three minutes before Diego Costa lofted in his 25th goal of the season 60 seconds later. And Diego Godin rounded off the scoring when he headed home the third from Koke’s corner 17 minutes from time. “The key was the intensity that the players started with. Going 2-0 ahead allowed us to relax and once it went 3-0 even more so,” said Simeone.