European Champions League

Barcelona 1 - Basel 1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Puyol, Márquez, Piqué, Sylvinho; Víctor Sánchez (Xavi 60'), Sergio Busquets, Iniesta (Eto'o 66'); Bojan (Messi 60'), Henry, Hleb. 4-3-3.
Basel: Costanzo; Zanni, Ferati, Marque, Safari; Huggel; Carlitos, Stocker (Gelabert 82'), Ergic, Perovic (Eduardo 58'); Streller (Derdiyok 70'). 4-1-4-1.

Goals:
1-0. 62. Messi. Picked up return pass from Henry and shot wide of keeper.
1-1. 81. Derdiyok. First time half-volley past Valdés from right sided cross.

After a big win away from home a fortnight ago, Barcelona were expected to clock up an easy win against Basel. Pep Guardiola rested several of his key players, but even so they dominated for much of the match. Henry went close early on and Iniesta and Henry both tested Costanzo. But after the ex Alavés keeper also saved from Bojan after the restart, the coach decided to turn to Messi and Xavi.

That made the difference, and within a minute Messi combined with Henry to open the scoring. Xavi tested Costanzo again with a free kick, and Eto'o came on to join in the fun, but there was asuprrise for the home fans ten minutes from the end when Derdiyok connected with a Carlitos cross to equalise.

The draw was still enough to ensure Barcelona's passage through to the next round, but their run of eleven wins on the trot had come to an end, and they will now have to battle with Sporting Lisbon (who are also qualified) for top spot in their group. There was further bad news for Guardiola as well, an injury to Iniesta likely to keep him out to the start of the new year.