Pep Guardiola chose to start without Xavi, opting to give the playmaker a rest and started Maxwell in his posistion. Jose Pinto played in net for the first time this season, replacing the consistant Victor Valdes, who hasn't missed a game since 2008.
Barça started brightly and took the lead within 20 minutes with a strike from Messi. The game had all the symptoms of being a goal fest, however, Barcelona had to wait until injury times for a second goal, courtesy of Messi again.
From the first few minutes of the game, the homeside looked to impose themselves on the match, with David Villa hitting the cross bar with
a chipped effort.
Maxwell was putting himself in good posistions and had a good volleyed effort saved, turned away by keepers legs.
Shortly after, Piquè brought the ball from his own half, layed it off to Iniesta who found Messi in space on the edge of box, taking one touch, Messi blasted the ball past the keeper, to the roar of the Camp Nou crowd.
Villa started to trouble the keeper but his volley couldn't find it's way in after a cushioned header from Dani Alves
Piqué had the chance to Barça two up but he chose to pass to an offside Messi instead of going for goal. This was the 3rd ruled offside goal of game.
Pep's change of tatics saw Barcelona play with a three man defence, with Dani Alves playing a more attacking rule and his relished in this posistion. His best chance came when he dropped the shoulder twice, turning two defenders but couldn't get enough power behind his shot.
Compenhagen contiuned to press and create chances. N'doye drove a powerful shot which had Jose Pinto beaten but couldn't beat the crossbar, the deflection fell to Santin but couldn't direct his header into the open net.
The second half started slow for Barça, Compenhagen made up for a lack of possession in the first half and showed more confidence on the ball. Xavi and Pedro came on in the 73rd minute for Villa and Maxwell but this left the homeside with no vocal point upfront and this forced Messi to drop deep to recieve more of the ball.
Alves who seemed determined to get on the score sheet, struck the post after beating defenders. After his goals for Brazil in the international break he was playing with a vast amount of confidence and was really a joy to watch.
Barcelona did finally get the 2nd goal in injury time, as the ball fell to Messi who was virtually on the goal line, he couldn't miss.
A win frome their next game, in Denmark, would see the Catalans through to the next round.
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