Champions League: Barcelona defeats Shakhtar, maintains flawless record

Barcelona continues their perfect start in the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, warming up for the Clasico.

Barcelona maintained their flawless record in the Champions League and prepared for the upcoming Clasico with a 2-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. This win marked their third consecutive victory in the competition and puts them in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages. In the past two seasons, Barcelona failed to progress, so this victory is a positive step forward for the Spanish champions.

The match saw Ferran Torres open the scoring for Barcelona, followed by a superb strike from 20-year-old midfielder Fermin Lopez. Lopez's performance showcased the talent coming out of Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy, following the impressive debut of 17-year-old Marc Guiu against Athletic Bilbao.

Despite a defensive lapse leading to a goal from Shakhtar's Heorhiy Sudakov, Barcelona managed to hold on to secure all three points. However, the victory was not without its challenges, as forward Joao Felix was forced off the pitch due to injury. This adds to Barcelona's growing list of sidelined players, including Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong.

To compensate for the absence of key players, Barcelona's manager, Xavi, deployed winger Torres in a central attacking role. Torres rose to the occasion, scoring a goal before the half-hour mark. His goal was initially disallowed but was rightfully awarded after VAR confirmed his well-timed run.

Lopez, who made his debut in August, has been a valuable asset for Barcelona this season. He previously rescued the team from a draw against Real Mallorca and further solidified his position with an outstanding performance against Shakhtar. With Gavi suspended, Lopez has made a strong case for a starting spot in the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid.

Shakhtar managed to gain a foothold in the game when Oriol Romeu was unable to catch up with Sudakov, who scored a well-placed goal at the near post. This was the first goal Barcelona has conceded in the Champions League this season.

Despite some missed opportunities, including a header ruled offside, Lopez continued to impress with his dynamic display. Barcelona successfully held on to their lead during seven minutes of stoppage time, securing the victory as fans eagerly turned their attention to the highly anticipated Clasico.

As it stands, Barcelona sits at the top of their group with nine points, while Shakhtar currently holds the third position. Porto, who are level on points with Shakhtar, will face bottom-placed Antwerp later, which could potentially change the group standings. Barcelona's perfect start in the Champions League sets them up for a thrilling clash with Real Madrid in the upcoming Clasico.