Barcelona edge resolute APOEL
ByPA Sport
Updated 17/09/2014 at 22:34 GMT
Champions League Group F, Camp Nou – Barcelona 1 (Pique 28) APOEL Nicosia 0
SPAIN, Barcelona : Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique (C) heads the ball to score during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona vs APOEL FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on September 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO
Image credit: Eurosport
Barcelona got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start as a Gerard Pique header proved the only difference in a tight encounter against APOEL Nicosia.
Pique rose to meet Lionel Messi’s accurate free-kick in the 28th minute but the floodgates failed to open as they struggled to break down a resolute APOEL defence.
Luis Enrique made nine changes to the side that beat Athletic Bilbao at the weekend for his European coaching debut and his experimental side dominated possession as expected.
They created enough chances to make the scoreline more comfortable on the night; the likes of Neymar, Messi and Munir all going close.
But APOEL defended admirably on the night and almost snatched a dramatic late equaliser with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen at full stretch to beat away Gustavo Manduca's effort.
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Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona heads the ball towards goal under a challenge by Joao Guilherme of APOEL (Getty)
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY MOMENTS
3’ – HALF CHANCE APOEL! It’s a really decent cross into the box from Aloneftis but De Vincenti can’t get enough on his header tumbling forwards and a tough chance goes over the bar.
11’ – GOOD SAVE! Pardo sees it late from Messi’s free-kick but does well to palm it behind for a corner.
20’ – DECENT EFFORT NEYMAR! He moves it onto his right foot on the edge of the box but his shot flies a couple of yards over.
27’ – GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 APOEL. Pique is in the right place to head home his ninth Champion’s League goal from Messi’s excellent free-kick delivery.
39’ – GOOD SAVE! Neymar cuts the ball back across goal to Messi but Pardo does well to parry away his fierce effort.
44’ – GOOD BLOCK CARLAO! Neymar’s shot looked destined for the far corner but for a decisive block from the APOEL defender.
46’ – PENALTY SHOUT BARCA! It’s a clumsy challenge by Carlao on Munir but the referee is unmoved.
56’ – NEYMAR AIR SHOT! It’s a great ball from Xavi but the striker catches thin air instead of hitting the target.
63’ – CHANCE APOEL! They break quickly through Manduca and he has two in the middle to aim at but instead finds Alves with his cross.
78’ – CHANCE APOEL! De Vincenti fluffs his shot from Manduca’s pass.
89’ – GREAT BLOCK! Pardo blocks Messi’s shot in the box.
90’ – CHANCE BARCELONA! Another great save from Pardo from Messi’s shot before Sergio blocks the follow-up.
90+2’ – CHANCE APOEL! It’s a good save by Ter Stegen to deny Manduca an equaliser.
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Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona is brought down by Carlao (C) of APOEL FC (Getty)
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
Gerard Pique scored his ninth goal in the Champions League
Dani Alves made his 300th appearance for Barcelona
Luis Enrique made his European managerial debut for Barcelona
Barcelona have still failed to concede this season
TALKING POINT
Were Barca denied a penalty? It certainly looked like it when Carlao made one of few errors and appeared to bundle over Munir at the start of the second half.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Carlao (APOEL Nicosia): A rock in the heart of the APOEL defence, helped keep the match in the balance until the death with some outstanding goal-saving challenges.
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Piqué 7, Xavi 6, Messi 7, Neymar 6, Bartra 6, S. Roberto 6, Adriano 7, Alves 7, Samper 6, Munir 6. Subs: Iniesta 6, Rafinha 6, Ramirez 6.
APOEL: Pardo 7, Andoniades 6, Mario Sergio 7, Amorin 6, Carlao 8, Morais 6, Vinicius 6, Gomes 6, Aloneftis 6, De Vincenti 7, Sheridan 6. Subs: Charalambides 6, Manduca 7, Djebbour 6.
MATCH IN A TWEET
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