Racing: Mario; Francis, Alvaro, Bernardo,
Cisma; Diop, Colsa (Adrián González 61'); Arana, Marcos
Gullón, Munitis (Jairo Samperio 69'); Babacar (Stuani 46'). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves,
Mascherano, Puyol; Xavi (Keita 82'), Busquets, Fàbregas, Iniesta; Cuenca
(Tello 72'), Messi, Pedro (Adriano 87'). 3-4-3.
Goals:
0-1. 29. Messi. Got on the end of Fàbregas
cross to slide the ball past Mario.
0-2. 56. Messi (penalty). After Cisma
brought down Fàbregas inside area.
Yellow cards: Francis 11', Babacar 22', Cisma 55', Alvaro 55', Diop 57', Stuani 87'.
No change in the ten point gap at the top of the table after Barcelona won 0-2 at Racing Santander on Sunday. Fresh from their 7-1 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen, Guardiola's side dominated from start to finish, with Pedro shooting wide, Iniesta hitting the bar, and second choice keeper Mario (replacing the suspended Toño) saving from Messi and Fàbregas before Xavi and Fàbregas combined to set up Messi for the opener. Soon after the restart Mario kept out Messi and Cuenca, and ten minutes in to the second half Messi got his second of the night and his seventh of the week (!) from the penalty spot after Cisma pulled back Fàbregas. Cuenca hit the post and Mario had to make a couple more saves from Messi and Pedro as Barça came looking for the third, and the only time that Valdés got a close look at the ball was when Adrián ran a rebound in to the net only to be pulled up for offside. Racing stay in the relegation spots, and on this showing new coach Alvaro Cervera has a lot of work to do if he is to keep them up.