FC Barcelona's player Matin Montoya (2nd-L) celebrates with his teammates after scoring their team's second goal during the Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and Bate Borisov at the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, north-eastern Spain, 06 December 2011. |
The 37,000 FC Barcelona fans who turned up to watch their side's match against BATE Borisov in the Champions League on Tuesday night enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win achieved by a new look Barca side.
Barcelona began the game with just five squad players in their side, although none of them could be said to have been regulars this season.
The changes didn't seem to affect Pep Guardiola's side, partly because the Barcelona B-team plays the same style as the first team and places a huge importance on the neat passing game.
Also youngsters such as Sergi Roberto, Rafinha and Jonathan Dos Santos, who have just renewed their contracts with the club, were keen to show that they are worth a place in the first team squad.
As a result Barcelona controlled the game, but only opened the score after 34 minutes when Sergi Roberto fired home a rebound after Rafinha had charged into the visiting area.
Pedro Rodriguez saw a shot hit the post six minutes into the second half, but on the hour Martin Montoya doubled Barcelona's lead from inside the penalty area following a pass from winger Isaac Cuenca.
Pedro added the third moments later with a backheel from another pass from Cuenca, who is quickly turning into Barcelona's discovery of the season, a fact he hammered home as he provoked a late penalty, which Perdro fired home to make the score 4-0.
The other good news for Barcelona is that none of their likely first team for Saturday's trip to play Real Madrid had to play and all will be well rested for the all important "Clasico."