Barca wasteful but still win
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Xinhua, October 20, 2011
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FC Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (center) celebrates with teammates Lionel Messi (left) and Xavi Hernandez after scoring during a Champions League Group H soccer match against Viktoria Plzen at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, spain on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011. |
Barcelona enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over Czech side Viktoria Plzen in their third game in the Champions League group stage.
Barcelona controlled the game from start to finish and should have scored more goals against a side that failed to manage a single shot on target in the entire game.
Needing a win in order to keep his side in contention to finish first in the group, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola put a strong side onto the pitch in the Camp Nou with only Carlos Puyol rested out of Barcelona' s fit players.
Barcelona wasted little time in taking the lead and Andres Iniesta scored a brilliant goal after exchanging passes with Leo Messi, flicking the ball up and firing home with his left foot.
Viktoria chose to defend deep, but the Czech champions looked rapid on the break, as Barca pushed forward. Nevertheless it was Barca who created all of the chances with Villa shooting over twice, Messi seeing a shot well saved and Pedro firing over when he should have put the ball into an unguarded net.
Barcelona also had a penalty claim turned down as Messi was brought down, but the referee had previously blown for an offside, which TV replays showed had not existed.
The half ended with Leo Messi hitting a 25 meter free kick against the Viktoria Plzen post with the last action before the referee blew for halftime.
A 1-0 lead is never secure and Barcelona began the second period aiming to score a second goal that would secure their win and once again bottled the Czechs in their penalty area.
Messi saw another shot saved after eight minutes after a mazy run and then hit the post again after another magical dribble which took him past three defenders.
25 minutes from time some desperate defending again denied the Barca striker when he looked certain to score after lifting the ball over the keeper after taking a pass from Villa.
It was Villa who finally scored Barca's second goal eight minutes from time with a move he started and finished himself after a swift counter-attack. There was time for Barcelona to give a first team debut to youngster Isaac Cuenca to round off a night which at times was frustrating but ultimately satisfactory for the European Champions.
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