MADRID - Barcee stayed hard on the heels of La Liga leaders Real Madrid when Lionel Messi's brilliance lifted a side containing several youngsters from the club's B team to a 2-1 win at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Real had earlier deployed close to their strongest team in a 1-0 victory at city rivals Getafe, defender Sergio Ramos nodding in the only goal on a bitterly cold and blustery night at the Coliseum Stadium.
In the late kickoff at an equally chilly Nou Camp, more than 50 000 fans turned out to witness Barca's 10th victory in 11 home league games this season that kept them within seven points of their arch rivals.
With Wednesday's King's Cup semifinal second leg against Valencia looming, coach Pep Guardiola had opted to start with regulars, including World Cup-winners Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique on the bench.
B-team players Jonathan Dos Santos, Cristian Tello and Isaac Cuenca were included in the starting 11, with Cesc Fabregas taking on the playmaker role in central midfield.
Pacy 20-year-old Tello opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he dashed in from the left on to a Messi through ball and finished clinically past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, his debut goal for the first team.
World Player of the Year Messi made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute.
"Messi is a magician and anything can happen when he is on the pitch," Montanier, whose team are 13th on 24 points, told a news conference.
Barca pressure Real
MADRID - Barcee stayed hard on the heels of La Liga leaders Real Madrid when Lionel Messi's brilliance lifted a side containing several youngsters from the club's B team to a 2-1 win at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Real had earlier deployed close to their strongest team in a 1-0 victory at city rivals Getafe, defender Sergio Ramos nodding in the only goal on a bitterly cold and blustery night at the Coliseum Stadium.
In the late kickoff at an equally chilly Nou Camp, more than 50 000 fans turned out to witness Barca's 10th victory in 11 home league games this season that kept them within seven points of their arch rivals.
With Wednesday's King's Cup semifinal second leg against Valencia looming, coach Pep Guardiola had opted to start with regulars, including World Cup-winners Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique on the bench.
B-team players Jonathan Dos Santos, Cristian Tello and Isaac Cuenca were included in the starting 11, with Cesc Fabregas taking on the playmaker role in central midfield.
Pacy 20-year-old Tello opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he dashed in from the left on to a Messi through ball and finished clinically past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, his debut goal for the first team.
World Player of the Year Messi made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute.
"Messi is a magician and anything can happen when he is on the pitch," Montanier, whose team are 13th on 24 points, told a news conference.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos