Rubin blown away by Barcelona young guns
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Barcelona's player Thiago Alcantara runs to his teammates Lionel Messi and Victor Vazquez celebrating Vazquez's goal against Rubin Kazan during their Champions League soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, December 7, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
A Barcelona side packed with youngsters scored two second half goals to defeat Ruben Kazan 2-0 in the last game of the group stage of the Champions League.
B-team players Fontas and Victor Vazquez scored the goals that will give the Catalans a huge morale boost and allow them to look to the future with optimism.
With the group leadership already assured, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola rested key players, giving a chance to several B-team players as well as reserve goalkeeper Pinto, who was preferred to Victor first choice keeper Victor Valdes.
The Catalans had failed to beat Ruben in their previous meeting this season and lost twice when the two sides played last year.
The Russians had travelled after only conceding 16 goals in their domestic competition and their organization was clear to see in the Camp Nou.
Barcelona struggled to break down a well-organized back line and Guardiola's job was made harder when Jeffren was forced out of the game with a muscle problem before the quarter hour.
Meanwhile, Bojan Krikic, who was captain on the night, also had to be replaced five minutes before the break following a collision that left him groggy and bleeding at the mouth.
B-team players Bartra and Victor Vazquez were their replacements.
Fontas opened the scoring five minutes into the second half following a through ball from Thiago and just as that goal went in, the news arrived that Copenhagen had scored a second goal against Panathinaikos.
That goal ended Ruben's chance of qualifying for the last 16 and their heads clearly dropped.
Things livened up with Leo Messi on the pitch for Barca, but it was not until 10 minutes from time when Vazquez added Barca's second to round off a happy night in the Camp Nou.
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