Barcelona 2 - Alavés 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Oleguer, Puyol (Belletti 85'), Márquez, Sylvinho; Van Bommel, Edmilson, Iniesta; Giuly (Maxi López 85'), Larsson (Messi 73'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Alavés: Costanzo; Edu Alonso, Juanito, Sarriegi, Coromina; Georgiev (Elton Giovanni 57'), Jandro, Carpintero, Nené (Rubén Navarro 71'); Bodipo, Aloisi. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barça: Sylvinho, Iniesta, Giuly, Larsson for Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Messi, Eto'o / Alavés: Georgiev for Pellegrino.

Goals:
1-0. 46. Larsson. Rolled ball in to net after Costanzo failed to cut out Giuly cross.
2-0. 82. Messi. Following up after keeper blocked shot from Ronaldinho with foot.

The first round of games of the second half of the season kicked off this weekend, with Barcelona opening up a ten point gap at the top after beating bottom club Alavés 2-0. Piterman's side put a fighting display early on though, with Jandro bringing a good save out of Valdés from a free kick which the keeper himself had given away for handling outside of the area, and Bodipo going just wide soon afterwards. But they were forced back after that, Costanzo saving well from Iniesta and Giuly hitting the post when he should have scored.

With Samuel Eto'o away on international duty, Larsson was given the striker's role, and he opened the scoring in the first minute of the second half after Costanzo failed to cut out Giuly's cross. The keeper turned another shot from Giuly on to the bar, and the French winger hit the woodwork for a third time later in the half, with Ronaldinho missing a penalty in between after Iniesta was fouled by Sarriegui. Eventually though substitute Messi made it eighteen wins in a row for Rijkaard's side with a late goal after Costanzo stopped a shot from Ronaldinho.