Sporting Lisbon 0-1 FC Barcelona: U19 team win in Portugal

The U19 team is certainly get the job done in the Youth League. Two games down, two wins and hot on the path of a place in the knockout rounds. The same for the first team against the same opposition, Sporting Lisbon, would make for a fabulous Wednesday in Portugal.

After Carles Pérez had grabbed last gasp victory over Juventus at the Miniestadi in week one, Gabri García’s side were up against a physically tough rival that they tried to outfox on the basis of their superior speed, although chances were few and far between for both sides.

In fact, a shot over the crossbar from the self-same Pérez and a free kick on the edge of the area for the home side were about the only moments of excitement in a frankly dull first 45 minutes.

Sergi Gómez seals win

The second half saw Barça pushing deeper and deeper into opposition territory, playing their famously patient waiting game and gradually starting to pick off the chances.

And it was from one of those that Sergio Gómez drove the ball past home stopper Maximiano to finally put the Catalans in command.

From there on, Barça controlled the play to perfection and although an extension of their lead always looked more likely than a Sporting equaliser, there was hardly much in the way of high drama at either end of the pitch.

It may not have been the most exciting game of football ever played, but it meant three very important points for Barça, with Olympiacos next up at the Miniestadi.