A very important win gives Barcelona another three points that set them up nicely for a place in the second round, after hard game against shakhtar, in the champions league groups stage. Messi showed his origin tonight, when he turned the 1-0 defeat into victory, after scoring twice for the Blaugrana in the last minutes.

Despite the bad results Shakhtar had in their first nine games in the league, the home side started strong and seemed able to trouble the visitors. Barcelona had all the difficulties in controlling the ball, and failed to keep up with the strength and fitness of Shakhtars players. The 3-4-3 formation didn’t help Xavi and keita to get any extra space. The pressure that was done by Shakhtar and their counter attacks kept Barca away from their usual style of play. However, it was Henry who had the first chance, when he broke through the defense line, but his finish failed to trouble Pyatov. More time passes, more we see Shakhtar get more confidence. No goals from both sides until the 45th minute, when Ilsinho received a long ball in the box area, the Brazilian brushed past Puyol before lifting the ball over Valdés.

After the break, Messi came on for Henry in the 59th minute. The Argentinean didn’t wait long to make his first contact, when he sent Eto'o clear, but the striker lost his balance before sending the ball near the right post. Guardiola sent on Bojan and Gudjohnsen to replace Eto’o and Keita in the 73rd and 81st minute, willing to provide the team with fresh legs. Bojan effort wasn’t enough to tie the game, when his shot was not directed to the goal.

While Shakhtar appeared fighting more to protect their lead, the 87th minute was the time Barca came back into the game, when Pyatov failed to catch the crossed ball by Bojan, to find Messi who scored facing an empty goal. The last minute of the 4 minutes extra time saw the second goal for Barca, when Messi was set clear nicely by Xavi, the number 10 didn’t panic and lift the ball over Pyatov.

With two games per week, it is hard to keep the players in shape. Goardiula was willing to save his players effort for the game against Atletico de Madrid, but after seeing the first half result, he found himself forced to call up Messi, who was obviously kept out to rest him for the weekend.

Despite the good result, Barca still didn’t show solid defense for a team that plays in three competitions. Beside, the team still doesn’t convince when they play without Messi. We all remember how the team struggled last season, when he spent few weeks off due the injury.