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Lionel Messi celebrates the own goal he forced
Photo:
MIGUEL VIDAL / REUTERS
FC Barcelona started the season late, but after their second win in their second game they are already targeting the top of the table.
The team of coach Ronald Koeman won 3-0 (1-0) at Celta Viga and is in fifth place in the table - but all teams placed before that have played at least one more game.
The goals were scored by Ansu Fati (11th minute), Vigos Olaza with an own goal (51st) and Sergi Roberto in stoppage time (90th + 5).
In the 42nd minute, however, Clement Lenglet had seen yellow-red.
Barça were therefore outnumbered for the entire second half, but successfully defended themselves against the oncoming hosts in the pouring rain of Vigo.
"I'm so proud of the team," said Koeman.
"We worked very well and played with a lot of discipline."
After a complicated summer in Barcelona, it is important for Koeman to know his team behind you.
After missing the championship and crashing out of the Champions League (2: 8 against FC Bayern), superstar Lionel Messi announced that he wanted to leave the club.
The question of the validity of his contract was even threatened with a brief legal dispute, Messi ultimately relented and stayed.
The club's top management is still heavily criticized and it was not clear what the effects of Messi's forced stay would be.
Fati meets again
Koeman came as Quique Setién's successor, sorted out Messi's friend Luis Suárez and a first rift loomed early on.
But the Dutchman stayed calm.
"It's not my job to talk about last season," Koeman said after the victory in Vigo.
"I've seen from day one that the players are hungry and motivated to rehabilitate."
At Celta it looked like the young star Fati scored the opening goal with a remarkable shot on the outside of the instep.
It was his third goal of the season.
Outnumbered, it was Messi who forced Olaza's own goal with a typical solo against several defenders.
More importantly for Koeman: "Messi worked really well against the ball today."
This has not always been the case in the past, which is why many observers in Barcelona interpreted the Argentine's departure as a greater chance for the club to start a real fresh start.
But Messi is still there - and his teammates are satisfied.
"We are so happy that he is still with us," said Roberto, the goal scorer to make it 3-0.
"The fact that he's so motivated gives us a big boost."
Ultimately, however, only two games of a long season have been played.
At the end of October, Barcelona will know what the new peace is worth.
On Sunday, Sevilla FC, who also started with two wins, will travel to Camp Nou, after the international break Real Madrid will be waiting and there will also be two games in the Champions League.
There are still interesting days ahead on the transfer market, the squad still needs new players, so there is still no replacement for Suárez.
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krä / Reuters