BARCELONA,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Spain — Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up another Sunday to help mark the debut of Neymar and Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino in a 7-0 thrashing of Levante,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], ensuring the Spanish champions start their title defense in style.
With signature signing Neymar watching from the bench,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Messi almost single-handedly dismantled the overmatched Levante.
After Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Messi claimed Barcelona's second goal,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], stole possession to create the third, and passed for Pedro Rodriguez to score the fourth.
Messi scored his second goal from the penalty spot before Xavi Hernandez made it 6-0 against the demoralized visitors just before halftime.
Neymar, who has been recovering from anemia since his ?57 million move from Santos in the offseason, went on in the second half in time to see Pedro strike again and polish off the lopsided victory.
The applause Neymar received when warming up grew to a standing ovation when he went on for Alexis in the 64th for his first official minutes in Barcelona's burgundy and blue.
Those eager to see Neymar and Messi together were disappointed,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], however. The two were only on together for seven minutes before Martino sent Andres Iniesta on for Messi.
The 21-year-old Neymar was active on the left flank but couldn't find his new teammates with crosses. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved his best chance before he was booked for tripping.

The post has been approved 0 times