Pep Guardiola took a somewhat depleted defensive backline to Almeria having to start a youth player to keep Gerard Pique out of foul trouble. They working looking for a strong performance to give them confidence going into the El Clásico……They got it!!

From the starting whistle Barcelona hammered Almeria, keeping them contained in their half of the pitch. Both David Villa and Lionel Messi had opportunities early on but Almeria was able to weather the pressure.

In the 16th minute the levy broke and the goals starting coming. First it was Lionel Messi who played give and go with David Villa firing past Diego Alves for the early lead. Two minutes later it was Andres Iniesta’s turn who got the benefit of a missed clearance by the Almeria defense that deflected to Iniesta just in front of the left post for the easy knock in past the keeper.

Almeria were looking pretty defeated following the two quick goals but were able to manage 10 more minutes of scoreless football. That is until Maxwell’s cross was redirected into the Almeria goal by Acasiete, giving the home crowd no chance of going home happy.

Barcelona added a fourth goal in minute 35 off of a beautiful pass from Fontás to Pedro who had beaten the entire Almeria defense given the winger an easy opportunity to tap past Gomez who had come far out of the goal to intercept the pass.

Lionel Messi added a second goal on the night just a minute after Pedro’s when the two hooked up inside the Almeria box with Pedro slighting the defense with a great pass setting up Messi with an easy shot.

At halftime FC Barcelona had a five goal lead giving Guardiola the ability to substitute Xavi and Iniesta to start the second half with Thiago and Keita. Bojan came into the match in minute 55 to give Pedro the rest of the night off and got onto the score sheet seven minutes later with the assist coming from Leo Messi.

Messi added to the six goal lead in minute 67 with his third on the night coming off shot by David Villa that was stopped by Gomez but rolled just out of his reach to an oncoming Messi.

The eighth and final goal of the night came off a three on two break led by Lionel Messi who dished to Bojan giving him an easy one on one with the keeper.

The eight goal victory by Barcelona equals their largest road victory in club history (Las Palmas, 1959).

Great night for Barça not so much for Almeria and especially head coach Juanma Lillo who was sacked following the match.

Full highlights here