Barcelona at today’s UEFA Champions League match sealed up their three match wins as first-half goals from Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres gave the reigning Spanish champions a home victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Torres lashed Barca ahead in the 28th minute after Lopez had struck the crossbar from Ilkay Gundogan’s chip on the Germany international’s 100th appearance in the competition, and the opening goal scorer turned provider eight minutes later, allowing Lopez to blast his finish off a post and beyond goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Xavi’s side are closing in on a place in the Round of 16 after joining Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as the only teams to have won 200 matches in the competition’s history, including its time as the European Cup and qualifying games.
Shakhtar made a quiet start to their first game under new manager Marino Pusic following the sacking of predecessor Patrick van Leeuwen and his coaching staff nine days ago, but the former Twente head coach’s words at halftime seemed to give the Ukrainian side the confidence to attack Barca far more after the break, when they produced 10 of their 12 attempts at goal.
After Shakhtar’s initial willingness to attack seemed to have been extinguished by two goals inside nine minutes, few would have expected the talented underdogs to have become much more of a threat during the second half.
Barcelona looked on course to breeze to a routine three points and three clean sheets in as many games at the start of a Champions League season for the first time in 16 years.
Lewandowski was seen smiling in the stands, perhaps enjoying the sense of procession, only for Shakhtar to respond in admirably fearless fashion.
Once the precociously brilliant Sudakov had stylishly replied, Pusic’s players showed the ambition and threat to suggest they are contenders to qualify for the knockout stages. A veteran, too was among those who could have levelled the scoreline in the form of midfielder Taras Stepanenko.
Fortunately for Barca, Xavi has his own band of young talents to call upon. Lopez was excellent on a full debut making the clear case for his inclusion on a more regular basis, deservedly contributing an assist and goal.
At 16, Lamine Yamal is four years younger than Lopez, and the anticipation whenever the Spanish top-flight record-breaker had the ball was tangible among the home support.
Striker Marc Guiu, the 17-year-old who became the youngest and fastest debutant to score for Barcelona in LaLiga on Sunday, also came on after the interval for Joao Felix, who appeared to be carrying an injury.
Aside from Shakhtar’s spirited comeback, the Portugal forward’s issue may be the only real note of concern for Xavi, but Barca must sense they will only get better once they are at full strength as their unbeaten start in the Champions League and LaLiga goes on.
