Alexis and Messi goals see Barca past Depor
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
MADRID (AFP) - A much-changed Barcelona side warmed up for their Champions League clash with Milan on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna to open up a 14-point gap at the top of the table.
Lionel Messi was one of a number of first-team regulars who started on the bench, but their replacements just managed to get the job done as Alexis Sanchez's header gave them a deserved half-time lead.
Messi was introduced after the break though and he wrapped up the points two minutes from time with his 40th league goal of the season after a neat one-two with Alexis inside the area.
The Barca side contained seven changes from the team that started last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid as Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta all joined Messi on the sidelines, while Victor Valdes and Xavi also missed out through suspension and injury respectively.
