FC Barcelona qualify for Champions League group stage despite defeat
FC Barcelona assured their place in the group stage of the Champions League despite a 1-0 defeat away to Poland's Wisla Krakow on Tuesday night.
A 52nd minute goal from Wisla midfielder Cleber was all that separated the two sides. But Barca's 4-0 lead from the first leg won the Spanish side its place in the Champions League group stage.
Barcelona controlled the opening minutes of what was basically a dull affair.
Their first-leg advantage was always going to be too much for the Polish side to overcome and with Barca kicking off their league campaign next Sunday away to Numancia, the players were clearly trying to save energy.
Samuel Eto'o was the most dangerous Barca player, with four chances in the first half hour. The Cameroun international was clearly relishing his chance to remain in the first team after having been named as surplus to requirements by coach Pep Guardiola before the pre-season.
With the game played at a slow pace, Barca were always in control, while Wisla were struggling to create chances against a well-organized defense.
The only goal of the game came thanks to a set-piece. Cleber got a header to a 52nd minute corner taken by Tomas Jirsak to put the Poles ahead.
Barca tried to level the scores with Carles Puyol's header saved by Mariusz Pawelek and Samuel Eto'o again looking to run at the home side's defense.
Dani Alves also looked to take the game forward for Barcelona, the full back showing no signs of the shoulder injury which had threatened to keep him out of action until the start of September.
However, with Wisla unable to create further chances and Barca unwilling to expend too much effort, the game began to run out of steam and neither side looked like scoring any more goals.
The 1-0 final score restored some pride to Krakow following their heavy defeat in the Camp Nou two weeks ago. But it is Barca's name that goes into the hat for the group stage in Monaco on Thursday.
A 52nd minute goal from Wisla midfielder Cleber was all that separated the two sides. But Barca's 4-0 lead from the first leg won the Spanish side its place in the Champions League group stage.
Barcelona controlled the opening minutes of what was basically a dull affair.
Their first-leg advantage was always going to be too much for the Polish side to overcome and with Barca kicking off their league campaign next Sunday away to Numancia, the players were clearly trying to save energy.
Samuel Eto'o was the most dangerous Barca player, with four chances in the first half hour. The Cameroun international was clearly relishing his chance to remain in the first team after having been named as surplus to requirements by coach Pep Guardiola before the pre-season.
With the game played at a slow pace, Barca were always in control, while Wisla were struggling to create chances against a well-organized defense.
The only goal of the game came thanks to a set-piece. Cleber got a header to a 52nd minute corner taken by Tomas Jirsak to put the Poles ahead.
Barca tried to level the scores with Carles Puyol's header saved by Mariusz Pawelek and Samuel Eto'o again looking to run at the home side's defense.
Dani Alves also looked to take the game forward for Barcelona, the full back showing no signs of the shoulder injury which had threatened to keep him out of action until the start of September.
However, with Wisla unable to create further chances and Barca unwilling to expend too much effort, the game began to run out of steam and neither side looked like scoring any more goals.
The 1-0 final score restored some pride to Krakow following their heavy defeat in the Camp Nou two weeks ago. But it is Barca's name that goes into the hat for the group stage in Monaco on Thursday.
