(1-0) 26' Cacau, (2-0) 52' Ibrahimovic
Barcelona will leave Germany relatively content with their nights work, but it could easily have been a different story were it not for Victor Valdes and poor finishing from Stuttgart during a rampant opening half. Barcelona had no answer to Stuttgart in the first 45 minutes, with the Barca players looking shellshocked at their total lack of possession as they soaked up some incessant pressure. Rafael Marquez struggled badly against Cacau, Messi was swarmed off the ball, Xavi left his wand at home, Pique could easily have given away a penalty and Ibrahimovic cut a lonely figure upfront. Jens Lehmann (one of footballs most hated men?) was up to his usual tricks, whilst teammate Alexander Hleb was on a one-man mission to obiterate his former employers. Striker Cacau headed in the opening goal after 26 minutes, with Valdes to thank for keeping it that way until half-time.
But whatever Pep Guardiola said at the break, it worked as Barca reappeared a different side. And it only took them 7 minutes to score that vital away goal as Zlatan Ibrahimovic found space inside the area to slot in at the second attempt from close range; his first goal in this years Champions League. From then on Xavi and Messi saw plenty of the ball, but there were to be no clear openings and so Barca enter the second leg with the clear advantage. It can only go one way at the Camp Nou.
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