Anderlecht 1-2 Barça: Into the Elite Round

A happy evening in Loznica for FC Barcelona. Velasco's side have defeated their tormentors Anderlecht from last season's Champions League 1-2, qualifying for the Elite Round to boot. Pito and Adolfo turned the game around in the second half after the Anderlecht keeper made save after save.

Many chances, no goals

Barça clearly wanted to get the Anderlecht defeat from last season out of their system as soon as possible, André Coelho hitting the post in the first minute. Anderlecht's Brazilian keeper Roncaglio was proving a thorn in the side, though, as he saved shots from Adolfo, Antonio and Dyego.

The pressure dropped, however, and the home side grew in ambition, Dídac saving FC Barcelona after efforts by Cainan and Gréllo. This seemed to spur the blaugranes on but this second matchday of the Main Round remained goalless at half-time.

Penalty conceded before a comeback

Both sides wanted to score, but Roncaglio, Dídac, their defences were proving resilient. The breakthrough came for the hosts, however, as Barça went behind to a Grello penalty.

The 1-0 scoreline brought out the best in FC Barcelona, Adolfo and Catela had great efforts before Pito scored to finally break the home side's resistance. The second goal wasn't long in coming, just two minutes later, as Adolfo completed the comeback at the far post, after a wonderful assist by Erick. 

The Belgians played with a fly keeper, but even with the extra outfield player, Anderlecht couldn't find a way through a watertight FC Barcelona defence. Final score 1-2, with Velasco's side going some way to make up for last year's defeat, as well as qualifying for the Champions League Elite Round.

GAME STATS

Anderlecht, 1
Barça, 2

Anderlecht: Roncaglio, Edu, Tomić, Jelovčić and Gréllo - starting five - Saura, Rangel, Vilela and Marcenio
Barça: Dídac, André Coelho, Dyego, Adolfo and Erick - starting five - Antonio, Catela, Pito, Sergio González, Touré and Álex

Goals: 1-0, Gréllo (penalty) (min 24); 1-1, Pito (min 30); 1-2, Adolfo (min 32)

Referees: Damian Grabowski, Vasilios Christodoulis and Talgat Kosmukhambetov. Yellow cards for Jelovčić (min 21) and Diego Roncaglio (min 26) from Anderlecht, and Pito (min 8) and Catela (min 20) from Barça.