Sandro the hero as Enrique's men scrape narrow win at El Madrigal

Sandro the hero as Enrique's men scrape narrow win at El Madrigal

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Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic headlined Barcelona's summer spending, but it has been two teenagers from La Masia who have starred in Luis Enrique's first two games as the club's new boss.

Last week it was Munir El Haddadi's turn; on Sunday night at El Madrigal against Villarreal it was the turn of Sandro Ramirez. The 19-year-old, on as a second half substitute for Pedro, was on hand to bundle the ball over the line after Lionel Messi had sent it goalwards in the 82nd minute.

All this after a game which had ebbed and flowed in both directions. Messi must have lost count on the amount of shots he had and the saves Sergio Asenjo had made, while at the other end the hosts twice saw the woodwork deny them the lead.

It was never likely to be anything other than a tough test for Enrique's side. Last season's visit produced an equally enthralling as emotional encounter as Barça came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 just days after Tito Vilanova had sadly passed away. Meanwhile, both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid were held on their trips to Spain's east coast.

Aware of the challenge posed, Barça made a fast start. Within two minutes Munir had their first shot; within four Lionel Messi had forced Asenjo into his first save. 

Chances were more sporadic after that, though. When they did arrive it was Pedro, twice played in by Messi, who failed to deliver. First of all he drew the best out of Asenjo, before later dropping in the box and looking, more desperately than anything, for a penalty.

Seconds before that, Victor Ruiz had wasted the home side's best opening of the first half. Cani and Giovani Dos Santos took a short corner, working the ball to the far post where Ruiz turned the ball over rather than into the gaping goal.

Messi, via a Manuel Trigueros deflection and Asenjo's finger tips, hit the post from a free kick, but Barça, sans the injured Andres Iniesta, were missing a spark, despite Rakitic and Rafinha's best efforts.   

If things were played out at a slow place in the opening 45 minutes, the game soon moved up a few gears after the break.

Trigueros' cross had already been turned against his own post by Jeremy Mathieu when Neymar's introduction, just before the hour mark, signalled a flurry of chances. Rakitic crossed when he should have shot, then Messi's free kick was tipped behind for a corner which the Argentine himself, unmarked, headed wide. 

Barça may then have been wondering what they had to do to score when Neymar, inches from the goal line, saw his booted effort ricochet away from goal off Ruiz. Mateo Musacchio completed the clearance.

Meanwhile, Tomas Pina had hit the post for Villarreal for the second time, but despite the home side's flirtations in the final third, it was Barça looking more dangerous. Neymar fired over after Sandro saw an effort blocked and a shot from Messi was deflected just wide of the post.

And when it seemed that one point might indeed be on the cards, Sandro popped up to add two more. The Yellow Submarine still had chances to snatch a draw late on, but for the second week running it was a teenager repaying Enrique's faith in him. 

 

Teams:

Villarreal: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, v.Ruiz, Jaume Costa (Paulista 59); Pina, Bruno; Cani (Espinosa 70), Trigueros, Cheryshev (Dario Vietto 64); Giovani. 

Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Rafinha (Xavi 75); Munir (Neymar 59), Messi, Pedro (Sandro 70).

Booked: Pedro, Alves.

Goal: Sandro.