MADRID - Barcelona have been boosted by the successful return from injury of Andres Iniesta as they prepare to host city rivals Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.
Iniesta played for the first time since damaging a calf muscle at the end of October in Wednesday's 4-0 King's Cup last-32, first leg victory at third-tier side Huesca.
The Spain international, captaining the side in the absence of most of Barca's rested regulars, bossed the game and scored a splendid goal reminiscent of his dramatic effort at Chelsea in 2009 that sent Barca through to the Champions League final.
The ball was played to him from the left and his first-time shot from outside the big box arrowed into the top corner to make it 2-0 in the 16th minute.
"When you try a shot from outside the area sometimes it goes in," the 30-year-old said.
Iniesta can provide extra creativity in attack for second-placed Barca as they seek to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid, who are two points clear at the top after 13 matches and host Celta Vigo tomorrow.
A win for Carlo Ancelotti's men at the Bernabeu will extend their winning streak to 18 matches.
La Liga returns to action tomorrow after a Deportivo La Coruna supporter was killed in fighting between fan groups before the club's match at Atletico Madrid last weekend.
FIXTURES
Tomorrow: Elche v Atletico; Athletic Club v Cordoba; Real Madrid v Celta Vigo; Deportivo v Malaga
Sunday: Rayo Vallecano v Sevilla; Barcelona v Espanyol; Villarreal v Real Sociedad; Granada v Valencia
Monday: Eibar v Almeria; Levante v Getafe.
Iniesta back with a bang to boost Barca
MADRID - Barcelona have been boosted by the successful return from injury of Andres Iniesta as they prepare to host city rivals Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.
Iniesta played for the first time since damaging a calf muscle at the end of October in Wednesday's 4-0 King's Cup last-32, first leg victory at third-tier side Huesca.
The Spain international, captaining the side in the absence of most of Barca's rested regulars, bossed the game and scored a splendid goal reminiscent of his dramatic effort at Chelsea in 2009 that sent Barca through to the Champions League final.
The ball was played to him from the left and his first-time shot from outside the big box arrowed into the top corner to make it 2-0 in the 16th minute.
"When you try a shot from outside the area sometimes it goes in," the 30-year-old said.
Iniesta can provide extra creativity in attack for second-placed Barca as they seek to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid, who are two points clear at the top after 13 matches and host Celta Vigo tomorrow.
A win for Carlo Ancelotti's men at the Bernabeu will extend their winning streak to 18 matches.
La Liga returns to action tomorrow after a Deportivo La Coruna supporter was killed in fighting between fan groups before the club's match at Atletico Madrid last weekend.
FIXTURES
Tomorrow: Elche v Atletico; Athletic Club v Cordoba; Real Madrid v Celta Vigo; Deportivo v Malaga
Sunday: Rayo Vallecano v Sevilla; Barcelona v Espanyol; Villarreal v Real Sociedad; Granada v Valencia
Monday: Eibar v Almeria; Levante v Getafe.
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