After two crucial matches against Inter and Real Madrid, Pep decided to spare a number of key players, such as Iniesta, Messi, Ibra, Puyol and Abidal. In short, Pep probably had the best bench in the history of football.

The first few minutes started nervously, as Xerez made their intend clear from the beginning. This was not going to be a rout  of the team which occupied last place before kick-off. Bojan started lively, as he almost managed to reach Keita deep in the penalty box, but Keita did not manage to connect to the pass.

As the clock went ticking down, it seemed that this was going to be one of those matches. FC Barcelona seemed reduced to a mere mid-table team as they lacked spark, creativity and ideas. It became clear within minutes from the kick-off that FC Barcelona was missing their usual defensive playmaker in Pique. The defensive trio of Chygrynskiy, Marquez and Toure was awful, with passes flying all over the pitch while they were caught out of position often. Bermejo was carried off the field, after an absolutely awful challenge from Marquez which knocked Bermejo out and left him bleeding from the head. Luckily Bermejo was able to continue the game afterwards.

The first half brought much joy to the hosts, but it was soon to end as the whistle had barely blown when the ball was behind Renan. Keita found Maxwell down the line, who crossed the ball directly to Henry who claimed the first goal of the match.

After the goal seemed to spark a fire within the team, who looked more lively than in first half. However, it amounted to nothing, which prompted Guardiola to change Pedro for Messi in the 55th minute. Ten minutes later, another crack was introduced as Pep substituted Bojan for Ibrahimovic.

The two cracks instantly made an impact, while looking threatening it did not change anything on the scoreboard. As the clock ticked down towards the last 10 minutes, it seemed like the match was far from over. Xerez was still fighting for points, and given FC Barcelona’s recent slip-ups against smaller teams, one could not hide the feeling of anxiety. Pep switched Henry for Iniesta, which inevitably brought more security to the passing-game.

Messi took matters in to his own hand, and rifled a shot from a tight angle minutes before time, but the ball ricocheted of the post. Moments after, Iniesta missed an absolute sitter after a wonderful pass from Ibrahimovic. Third time is the charm, as Messi skipped past a defender and passed a perfect through ball to Ibrahimovic who lobbed it beautifully over a hapless Renan.

FC Barcelona had finally killed off the match and any rumors of a rift between Messi and Ibrahimovic judging by their faces in the post-goal celebration.

The positives to gather from this game were few, but FC Barcelona showed their brilliance in glimpses but the contrast to the Inter game, was however stark. In the end, FC Barcelona secured three highly valuable points in a match that

RESULT:

Xerez C.D.: 0

FC Barcelona: 2

GOALSCORERS:

Xerez C.D.:

FC Barcelona: Henry (’46), Ibrahimovic (93′)

LINEUPS:

Xerez C.D.: Renan, Francis, Aythami, Calvo, Casado, Armenteros, Viqueira, Bergantinos, (Sidi) Keita, Orellana and Bermejo.

FC Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Marquez, Chygrynskiy, Maxwell, Xavi, Toure, Keita, Pedro, Bojan and Henry.

SUBSTITUTES:

Xerez C.D.: Chema, Mendoza, Redondo, Moreno, Viqueria, Antonito, Abel and Michel.

FC Barcelona: Iniesta, Ibrahimovic, Puyol, Pinto, Abidal, Dos Santos and Messi.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Xerez C.D.: Calvo -> Antonito (57′), Sanchez -> Armenteros (74′),

FC Barcelona: Pedro -> Messi (55′), Bojan -> Ibrahimovic (67′),  Henry -> Iniesta (85′).

CAUTIONS:

Xerez C.D.: Aythami (78′)

FC Barcelona: -