Madrid: Barcelona eased their crisis ridden week with a comprehensive 5-0 thrashing of Elche to all but seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
<img title="Barcelona's Lionel Messi" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jan/L-Messi1001.jpg" alt="Barcelona's Lionel Messi" /> Barcelona's Lionel Messi takes on four Elche players during their Round of 16 first leg Copa del Rey match in Barcelona. Pic: AP/PTI.
Despite the speculation surrounding his future in recent days, Lionel Messi captained the side on his return to the starting line-up and scored from the penalty spot after goals from Neymar and Luis Suarez had already put the hosts in command.
Jordi Alba added a fourth before Neymar rounded off the scoring with a powerful drive from 20 yards out. Barring a meltdown in the return leg on January 15, Barca will face the winners of the tie between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in the Last Eight.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t speak about what happens in the dressing room,&rdquo; Neymar said when asked about a reported issues between Messi and Enrique. &ldquo;I am happy with how the game went for me and the team. We took a big step forward. I am happy for Messi and Suarez too. Now we need to do the same against Atletico (on Sunday).&rdquo;
Messi and Neymar were among eight changes made by under fire coach Luis Enrique from the side that lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad on Sunday. The two South American stars looked keen to make a point to their boss from the off and Messi&rsquo;s name was chanted regularly by the sparse Camp Nou crowd in a sign of support after a difficult few days for all those at the club.

Barcelona shrug off talk of crisis to trounce hapless Elche 5-0 at home in the first-leg of their pre-quarter-final encounter

Business as usual for five-star Barcelona

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Business as usual for five-star Barcelona

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