Pep Guardiola's side were in front as early as the 12th minute courtesy of a strike from Adriano and, despite a relatively sluggish and lethargic showing, the Spanish champions preserved their slender lead throughout.Barca were without forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who both have long-term problems and captain Carles Puyol was confined to the bench after he injured his ribs in the midweek thrashing of BATE.The inevitable barrage of early pressure from Barcelona ensued as they sought to break the deadlock, and the opening goal came in the 12th minute, albeit in rather scrappy fashion.First Xavi saw a rasping drive cannon off the near post with Juan Pablo Colinas comprehensively beaten in the Sporting goal, but Adriano was on hand to hammer the rebound beyond the helpless keeper.Six minutes later, Colinas prevented a swift second as David Villa slipped an incisive through ball into the path of Thiago, with the keeper producing a stunning reflex save to deny the midfielder's snap shot from close range.
Barcelona should have finally doubled their lead in the 77th minute as Villa forced his way to the left byline and dinked over a precise delivery, but Messi could only head tamely straight at Colinas from close range as the chance went begging.The visitors then had a goal disallowed seven minutes from time as substitute Seydou Keita rolled the ball into an empty net after Alves drew out the keeper with some deft footwork, only to see a late offside flag bring an abrupt end to the pair's celebrations.
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