ELCHE 0 REAL MADRID 2: Watch The Goals & Highlights

           

ELCHE 0 BARCELONA 4 - Watch The Goals & Highlights

               

Lionel Messi Can Be The World's Best Defender - Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique lavished praise on Leo Messi after his brace against Elche. "He's the best player in the world. He could even be the best defender if he wanted. We see him do incredible things day in, day out. He'll be the best for as long as he wants to be; he scores goals, sets them up and presses the opposition. He's been working magic for many years now".

Munir: "He's progressing at a dizzying rate. He gives us lots of options; he's a natural goalscorer and is a fierce competitor".

BARCELONA 3 ELCHE 0: Watch The Goals & Highlights

           
                                                          The Lionel Messi show..... full of surprises

BARCELONA vs ELCHE PREVIEW: Luis Enrique Set For First Test

Luis Enrique's Barcelona reign begins against Elche at Camp Nou on Sunday, with Xavi backing his former team-mate to return silverware to the club. The former Roma and Celta Vigo coach will take charge of the 22-time Spanish champions in La Liga for the first time on Sunday, having been drafted in to improve upon an underwhelming campaign under predecessor Gerardo Martino.

With Barca only winning the Supercopa de Espana last term, the 44-year-old has been tasked with bringing titles back to the club he spent eight years at and will have a wealth of new talent at his disposal.

Luis Suarez's biting ban rules him out until October while Thomas Vermaelen (hamstring) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back) must also wait for their competitive debuts but pre-season arrivals Ivan Rakitic, Claudio Bravo and Jeremy Mathieu could all feature.

ATLETICO MADRID 2 ELCHE 0: Miranda & Costa Goals Crush Stubborn Elche

Atletico Madrid moved closer to their first Spanish championship win in 19 years after a 2-0 win over struggling Elche opened up a temporary six-point lead over nearest challengers Real Madrid.

The Liga leaders laboured in the attacking front, but Brazilian defender Miranda found the net on 72 minutes from a corner, before Diego Costa scored his 27th league goal of the season from the spot in added time.

Elche defender Christian Sapunaru was dismissed for the foul in stoppage time, having also conceded a spot-kick earlier in the half, which Manu Herrera saved from David Villa.

Alexis Sanchez Scores Hat trick against Elche

Barcelona moved back to the top of La Liga on goal difference with a comfortable 4-0 win over Elche on Sunday thanks to a hat-trick from Alexis Sanchez.

The Catalans are tied with Atletico Madrid on 49 points with the two set to meet for the first time in the league this season next weekend at the Vicente Calderon.

Lionel Messi was once again watching from the sidelines as he nears a comeback from a hamstring injury and Neymar was left on the bench having recently returned from a Christmas break in Brazil.

However, Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez once again proved able deputies as they slotted home inside the opening 15 minutes.