Lionel Messi took just three minutes to score on his return from injury as Barcelona enjoyed the perfect preparation for the visit of Manchester City in midweek with a 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.
The Spanish champions were already 3-0 up thanks to Luis Suarez and a double from Rafinha when Messi was introduced after nearly a month out with a groin problem just before the hour mark and wasted no time in scoring his ninth goal of the season.
Barca trail league leaders Sevilla by a point after the Andalusians won away from home in La Liga for the first time in 23 games, triumphing 3-2 at Leganes.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid can move back to the top of the table when they face Granada and Real Betis respectively later on Saturday.
