Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Marc Bartra, Piqué, Adriano; Xavi (Iniesta 60‘), Samper, Sergi Roberto (Rafinha 78’); Munir (Sandro 67’), Messi, Neymar. 4-3-3.
APOEL: Urko Pardo; Mario Sergio, Carlao, Joao Guilherme, Antoniades; Tiago Gomes (Manduca 61’), Morais, Vinicius, Aloneftis; De Vincenti (Charalambides 78‘), Sheridan (Djebbour 74’). 4-4-2.
Goals:
1-0. 28. Piqué. Got in front of defence to head wide Messi free kick past Pardo.
A much changed Barcelona side had more problems than expected before running out 1-0 winners against Apoel Nicosia. Luis Enrique made no less than nine changes to the starting line-up he put out at the weekend, giving debuts to keeper Ter Stegen and young midfielder Sergi Samper. The Cypriot team clearly came to defend and look to score on the breakaway, and once again Barça had most of the possession, with Messi bringing an early save out of ex Barcelona B keeper Urko Pardo with a well-struck free kick. A few minutes later Piqué headed the locals in front from another Messi free kick, and Messi and Neymar tested Pardo and his defence again before the break. However they were unable to get the second goal they needed to be sure of the result, and the visitors grew in confidence after the restart, De Vicenti seeing a shot deflected by Bartra, and then missing a good chance, and Ter Stegen having to save from Manduca in the dying minutes. Three points in the end though, and with Ajax and Paris St. Germain drawing in the other group game, Barcelona currently top their group.