Barcelona overcame a resilient BATE Borisov side to record a 2-0 win in Belarus this evening.
In the opening 45 minutes the hosts held firm, with ‘keeper Sergey Chernik making a string of fine saves, but the deadlock was eventually broken moments after the restart by a world-class Ivan Rakitic goal.
The Croatian international was yet to score in fourteen games this season, but he made no mistake when he thundered the ball into the top corner from twenty yards.
The same player added an equally impressive dinked second just fifteen minutes later, and thereafter Barcelona were in cruise control. Neymar, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba went close, but they ultimately couldn’t find the elusive third.
The 2-0 win was no more than Barcelona deserved – BATE rarely attacked, and the Catalans ended the game with more than 70 percent possession.
The result leaves the visitors top of Group E with seven points from their three games. Bayer Leverkusen are second after a thrilling 4-4 against Roma in the group’s other game.
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Next up for Barcelona is a home game against Eibar at the weekend. Their next Champions League game is the return game against BATE on 4th November.
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