Robert Lewandowski continued his fine scoring run for FC Barcelona, who moved to the top of LaLiga with a 4-0 victory over Cadiz on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Cadiz 0-4 Barcelona
Date: 10 September 2022
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla
Coach Xavi Hernandez made nine changes from the UEFA Champions League win on Wednesday, with only Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Gavi maintaining their spots.
There was a debut for Hector Bellerin, who joined the Catalans on a free transfer from Arsenal while fellow new signing Marcos Alonso was named on the bench.
The visitors had their first clear opening on 10 minutes when Brazilian attacker Raphinha unleashed a powerful strike that crashed against the crossbar, before Ferran Torres fired wide from the rebound.
Cadiz, meanwhile, struggled to carve out any openings at Ter Stegen's goal as the Catalans continued to dominate as they went in search of the opener.
Barcelona were nearly gifted a goal just before the break when Zaldua deflected a pass to Sergio Busquets, who in return picked out Memphis Depay who was denied by the Cadiz goalkeeper.
The away side finally got the opening goal 10 minutes into the second half when Jeremais Ledesma pushed Gavi's pass into the path of Frenkie de Jong, who slotted home from close range.
Xavi made a double change soon after the goal as Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele replaced Depay and Torres for the final 30 minutes.
The decision paid dividends after the hour mark when Lewandowski grabbed his sixth league goal in five matches with a neat finish from close range after Cadiz failed to clear their lines.
There was also time for another Barcelona debut as Alonso replaced the young Alex Balde for the final 10 minutes, as the visitors saw out the final stages with relative ease.
The game was also halted with 10 minutes left on the clock as a fan in attendance needed medical attention.
The game eventually resumed and Barcelona managed to bag a third goal soon after the restart, with Lewandowski playing in Ansu Fut to slot home on 86 minutes.
Fellow substitute Dembele also added his name to the scoresheet four minutes later with his second league goal of the campaign to wrap up a big win, although the ocassion was somewhat effected by the supporter who had to be attended to, although Cadiz have confirmed the person is fine.
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