MADRID, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona equaled their best ever start to a season as a result of their 5-0 win away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night.
The triumph, which came thanks to two goals from Leo Messi, plus goals from David Villa, Xavi Hernandez and Pedro Rodriguez means Barca have taken 25 points from a possible 27 in their first nine games of the campaign, equaling the start to the season enjoyed under Louis Van Gaal.
Barca's effectiveness in front of goal was the difference against a Rayo side which tried to match Barca by playing open football, but who left far too many spaces in defense.
"It is not easy to take 25 points from 27, but we deserve it," said Vilanova on Sunday.
"We have always battled right to the end, we are brave and we deserve all of the points that we have got," said the man who replaced Pep Guardiola as Barca coach at the end of last season and who was clearly in the spotlight as a result of his predecessor's incredible success.
"It is very important to start the season well, we are all happy, we have had difficult matches, but we have deserved all of our wins. We could easily have drawn some of these games, but we have ended up taking all three points," added Vilanova.
The Barca coach commented that Leo Messi's first goal, which had put Barca 2-0 ahead just after half time, had been vital as it had forced Rayo to leave more space in defense.
He was also pleased with David Villa who had opened the scoring with a smartly taken goal after 20 minutes.
"He is feeling better every day, he scored a goal and we are happy with him," he said of the striker, who is still working his way to full fitness after breaking his leg last year.
Vilanova also highlighted the defensive display by Sergio Busquets and Adriano, who were surprise choices at center half, while the coach also had words for Messi.
"He scored goals, but I was happier with the 30 yard run he made in the last minute in order to help out in defense," said Vilanova.
Meanwhile young defender Martin Montoya continued in the side ahead of fit-again Dani Alves.
"We had a lot of confidence in Montoya, if I didn't have confidence, he would not have played. We are a club that has a lot of confidence in the youth system," concluded the Barca coach.
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