Barcelona lost Lionel Messi to another leg injury but still had more than enough firepower to win 4-1 at struggling Real Betis and capitalise on a stumble by title rival Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Things looked grim for the defending champions when Messi suffered his third leg injury of the season and asked to be substituted in the 21st minute, as Barcelona came under pressure.
But Cesc Fabregas stepped in by scoring two goals and making another in a convincing victory before he was replaced late in the match due to pain in his right knee.
“We started without any intensity and they were rolling over us for the first 20-25 minutes,” Fabregas said. “But then we had a good 20 minutes before dominating in the second half.”
Fabregas, who has started nine of Barca’s 13 league matches and appeared particularly put out at not being chosen to start Wednesday’s Champions League win over AC Milan, made it clear he wants to prove his worth to coach Gerard Martino.
“I know the starting 11 that my coach has in his head and that I am not in it,” Fabregas said. “I will work as much as I can to erase any doubts.”
