BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Playing
without the injured Lionel Messi, Barcelona needed Adriano's long strike
Sunday to beat Malaga 1-0 and maintain a perfect record through two
rounds of the Spanish league.
Barcelona kept Bernd Schuster's team
pushed back in its area early on at La Rosaleda Stadium but failed to
finish its scoring chances until Adriano broke through in the 44th
minute.
Gerard Pique used his back to deflect
the ball off the crossbar for Barcelona in the 58th before Malaga
finally dared to look for an equalizer it nearly found through
17-year-old Fabrice Olinga's shot from close to the penalty spot that
hit the post in the 68th.
"We went from better to worse," said
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino. "Our first half was good, with precise,
dynamic ball movement and good play on the wings, but we lacked
effectiveness and scoring chances. We needed to be more consistent (in
the second half). We have to finish games off and not leave the rival
the possibility to come back."
Neymar went on as a substitute for the
third straight game for Barcelona in the second half and shone with his
dribbling, pace and a pair of shots that almost doubled the final
margin.
Martino said that after his performance, Neymar looks prepared to get his first start.
"There is a difference between what we
saw from Neymar today and the other day against Levante," Martino said.
"I don't know how long it will be before he is starting, but in his
head Neymar is ready.
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