Following a deadly display by Leo Messi and Luis Suárez, Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Cristian Álvarez was - believe it or not - a relieved man to come away with a 6-1 drubbing in Barcelona.
"At least it wasn't 10", he quipped in the mixed zone, going on to joke that after Rayo had a player sent off with the score 3-0, he started to picture himself going down in history as the keeper who conceded the most goals in a single match.
Messi registered a record-breaking 24th La Liga hat-trick in the game, but it was Suárez who opened the floodgates and then sealed the rout in a performance that proved he is well and truly a man in form.
Besides bagging a brace, the Uruguayan won the penalty for Barça's third goal and was involved in the lion's share of his side's attacking moves. He has chalked up eight goals in as many appearances as of late, including six in the last 11 days. The Camp Nou crowd are finally seeing what a natural predator he is.
Messi, meanwhile, has struck up a real chemistry with the former Liverpool star. Having endured a rocky relationship with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa and Samuel Eto'o, the Argentine seems to have really hit it off with Barcelona's latest number 9.
Assists from Messi have played a major role in Suárez filling his boots recently, but the Uruguayan has also had no qualms about deferring to the four-time Ballon d'Or winner in the box, as was shown again against Rayo. If you add Neymar into the equation, this adds up to a trio who are beginning to fire on all cylinders in unison.
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