Barça 2–1 Sparta Prague: Excellent start to the Elite Round

Barça have got off to a winning start in the Champions League elite round with a 2-1 victory over Sparta Prague in Minsk. Andreu Plaza's team came out on top thanks to goals from Dyego and Aicardo after Drahovsky had given the Czech side an early lead. 

The blaugranes were well aware of the need for a good start with only the group winners making it through to the Final Four. However, in their first group fixture things did not go quite as planned with Drahovsky putting Sparta ahead in the second  minute of the game. Barça dominated possession but the equaliser did not come until just before half time when Dyego fired home a rebound from a save by keeper Vahaia. 

In the second half the blaugranes continued to have the better of the game. Aicardo put Andreu Plaza's team ahead in the 27th minute and the Czechs threw everything at Barça but keeper Juanjo was in inspired form. Barça held on for an important win and their next test is on Thursday against Ukrainian side Kherso. 

MATCH STATS

Barça 2,

Sparta Prague 1,

Barça: Juanjo, Aicardo, Sergio Lozano, Ferrao and Marcenio – starting five – Daniel, Rivillos, Adolfo, Dyego and Joselito

Sparta de Praga: Vahaia, Kocic, Novak, Wilde and Grbesa – starting five – Cardoso Da Silva, Rick, Bhraimi, Amadeu, Seidler, Drahovsky, Krivanek and Hora

Gaols: 0-1, Drahovsky (1’); 1-1, Dyego (20’); 2-1 Aicardo (27')