BARCELONA: A second string Barcelona side proved too strong for Rubin Kazan Tuesday as the Russians fell 2-0 at the Nou Camp to miss out on a berth in the Champions League knockout phase. Last season, Rubin, unbeaten in 15 in their domestic league, briefly caused a sensation with a 2-1 pool phase win.
The return was a draw, as was this campaign’s opener in Russia – hence leaving the Catalan club winless in three previous meetings.
But they put the record straight as they picked off their rivals with second-half goals from Andreu Fontas and Victor Vazquez to send Barcelona streaking on with 14 points while Danish side FC Copenhagen won 3-1 against Panathinaikos to claim second spot with ten.
Kazan’s hopes of a win to pinch second place from under the Danes’ noses looked as if they had received a boost when Barca coach Pep Guardiola sent out a virtual reserve side, resting David Villa as well as Xavi. Xavi’s fellow FIFA Ballon d’Or hopefuls Leo Messi and Andres Iniesta started on the bench.
Even so, the game was an opportunity for fringe players such as Maxwell, Jonathan and Fontas to impress while Jose Pinto made a rare start in goal in place of usual first choice Victor Valdes.
Two up-and-coming names – Bojan Krkic and Jeffren – had little opportunity to stake their claims, however, as both had to leave the action before the break to be replaced by Marc Bartra and Vazquez. Kazan coach Kurban Berdyev had forecast that Barca would not change their fluent style even with so many top names out and yet it was the Russians who had the better of things in a tight first half.
But after the restart Barca’s young bucks turned on the style and Fontas broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half before Vazquez wrapped up the points eight minutes from time. Defender Fontas was delighted to have the opportunity to shine on his competition debut.
“It was impossible to do better – and I get a goal into the bargain so I can’t be happier, though I was a bit nervous to start with,” he told Spanish television.
