Sporting Gijon 0-1 Barcelona

Barca opened the second half of the league season with yet another win- beating Sporting in Gijon thanks to a first half goal from Pedro in a game they could easily have won by a much wider margin.

The game in El Molinon was never going to be easy, but Barca overcame Sporting’s physical approach, the pouring rain and the muddy pitch which hardly helped their passing game to take three more points and extend their fantastic unbeaten league run, thanks to yet another decisive goal from Pedro,
the Blaugrana extended their lead at the top of the table.

Barcelona started the stronger of the two sides, dominating possession from the off, but los Rojiblancos were trying to stifle their illustrious opponents by pressurising them across the pitch.

Andres Iniesta almost broke his duck for the season after some excellent build up play through the middle of the pitch in the 12th minute, but the shot was saved. From the resulting corner, Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the post with his header before the rebound was tucked home, but the Swede was correctly adjudged to have been offside.

Sporting had an opportunity when Carles Puyol put the ball behind for a corner in the 17th minute, but the set piece was poorly executed. Minutes later, Miguel de las Cuevas played Mate Bilic into space, but the Croatian could only drag his shot wide.

It was a warning sign for the Blaugrana, who were looking more exposed in defence with Puyol moved to right back in the absence of Dani Alves. At the other end, Ibrahimovic was showing no signs of improving his recent poor form as he blazed a shot over the bar from inside the penalty area.

On the half hour mark, Barcelona took a quick free kick, albeit from the wrong position, and from Iniesta’s through ball, Pedro raced clear and tucked the ball home for the opening goal. Sporting protested at the location in which the free kick was taken, but referee Paradas Romero allowed the goal to stand.