After the first win in La Liga against Sporting, Barcelona hardly beats Betis, and collects another three points. Positive result makes them go up to seven points, only three points away from the head of the table.

Barca started strong, surrounded by high spirit after the big win last weekend. They looked confidence and going for the opening goal, which they succeeded on the 17th minute, when Eto sent powerful ball from the edge of the area that rattled the bar before it goes into the net. Six minutes later, Eto added his second in the game, and celebrated his 100 goals with the Blaugrana.

After the break, Barca didn’t seem able to keep the rhythm, the players seemed careless and loosing the possession of the ball. Betis made them pay the price, when Monzón scored from the indirect free kick, taking the advantage of the poor wall defense. The game became more open from both sides, and it looked like one of them was going to score. The shocking moments for Barca fans arrived when Jose Mari lifted the ball over Valdes to tie the game at 2-2 in the 66th minute.

In order to reform the team, Guardiola used the first two substitutions by sending on Gudjohnsen and Busquets instead of Yaya and Keita. Eto was replaced after by Bojan who had his first serious contact with the ball when he tried from distant, but his effort was denied by Casto, who kept Betis in the game in many occasions.

The equaliser raised the tension between the two sides, and Barca pushed forward to grab the winning goal. Alves who hasn’t appeared yet at his full strength since he joined the team, from his first decent cross, Gudjohnsen with an excellent left-footed shot, puts Barca on the right track to win the game. Bojan had his chance to insure the three points, but Casto again, keeps the result unchanged.

In general, the team played well, they were organized most of the time, they kept the ball under their feet and they played their usual attacking football. But beside the fact that Barca couldn’t keep their net clean once, the attitude of the players in the second half could have cost them the three points. These issues have to be solved as quickly as possible, especially before the next game against Espanyol, the team that made them suffer in previous seasons.

With good football and plenty of goals, Barcelona celebrates the first win in la liga after two weeks of failure. The 1-6 result was a clear representation of the difference between the two sides. Sporting de Gijon received the third defeat this season that put them in the bottom of the table.

Guardiola set up his team back to 4-3-3 formation. The starting line-up didn’t include Henry who didn’t travel with them, so again Iniesta finds himself on the left side, while Messi and Eto kept in changing between them the right wing and the striker positions over the ninety minutes. The players didn’t have any problem in controlling the game, especially when the easy opponent makes everything possible for the visitors to dominate. The ten corners in the first thirty minutes prove the high possession of the ball.

Busquets was given again the confidence to start the game as a central midfielder, the statistics showed high number of contacts and successful recovery of the lost ball. The defense line didn’t face too many troubles except for the goal. Due the fantastic domination, Puyol and Marquez were in the opponent box area in many occasions.

All these advantages led to the two goals in the first half. Xavi once again scores in similar way with the goal against Lisbon the 1st, while Eto scored the 2nd after the eleventh corner. Sporting didn’t show any sign that they can come back to the game.

The first five minutes from the second half saw two goals for both sides. It was Jorge, Sporting’s center half, who knocked a cross from the corner spot into his own net, which led to fast reaction from the home side, when Maldonado scored after two minutes, bringing some hope for his mates and the fans who kept cheering for their team till the final whistle.

The good time for Sporting stopped when the last defender Gerard brought Messi down after being few meters from facing the goal keeper. The referee had no choice but to show him the deserved red card.

With one man down, Sporting couldn’t do more than just retreating into their own box. It was just matter of time to see Barca scoring. Iniesta & Messi were able to make the score goes to 1-6.

It is hard to say that Barcelona came up with the solution for the problems they faced in previous games in la liga. The players have done pretty well, but this is not the team they will face every time. The team will head back home preparing for the next game against Real Betis on Wednesday.

4-3-3 format that has been the main strategy in the last five years since Frank took control over the team. Guardiola after the bad results in the Spanish league and due the scoring problem in the recent games, he started with 3-4-3 giving Daniel license to merge with the front line without concern about the back line which was covered this time from the left to right by Puyol, Marquez & Pique.

Despite the new formation and the high quality of the players that kept the ball mostly at Barca feet, still Barca couldn’t find the net, though they had all the possible chances. Even when you have Messi & Henry playing widely giving to Xavi and Iniesta additional space to dominate the pitch, leaving Keita focusing on wining the lost ball, still Barca couldn't reflect the high possession of the ball into a leading result. Trying to break the opponent defense, Henry continued with Eto switching positions hoping for a change of luck, similar thing was appearing with the ex-coach Frank.

The well organized attacks failed to change the score, but different from the way that Barca played. Their first two goals came from set pieces, which put again the confusing question concerning the scoring matter.

Some changes came up when Eto was replaced by Toure, who was obviously brought in to give extra defense against the visitors, willing to stop any surprising attack. Iniesta moved to the left wing keeping Henry as a striker, who was replaced by Pedro, who stood on the right side.

The third goal was the only finished attack that shows the team work that Barca players had achieved during the game. Xavi was again the man who can score in the deadly minutes.

Even without scoring, Messi as usual was the magic provider for the Blaugrana. He showed his talent in controlling the ball and breaking through the defenders making him the fans' man of the match.

Good results for the team, especially for Pep, who can relax for the moment, after the hard time he faced view the fact that with him, the team had the worst opening season since 1973-74. Next game will be held on Sunday against Sporting de Gijon.

Barcelona got their Champions League Group C campaign off to a flyer with a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon at the Nou Camp.

Goals from Rafael Marquez, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi sealed the win with Tonel scoring what turned out to be nothing more than a consolation for the Portuguese visitors. The Catalan club go to the top of the group after Shakhtar Donetsk won 2-1 at Basel courtesy of two free-kicks from Fernandinho and Jadson.

For all of Barcelona's monopolisation of the ball and exciting open play, both of Barcelona's goal came from set pieces.

Xavi's 21st-minute corner sailed over everyone and fell to Marquez, and the big Mexican had time to direct a header back across goal that bounced in low just inside the far post.

The ball passed Seydou Keita's outstretched boot on the way in, but the Mali midfielder did not manage to get a touch.

Samuel Eto'o doubled the home side's lead on the hour-mark after the Cameroon striker went down easily under the challenge of Abel as he jumped for a cross. The man who was told during the summer he had no place at the club dusted himself down and sent Rui Patricio the wrong way to score.

Sporting boss Paulo Bento had started the match with striker Helder Postiga on the bench and Yannick Djalo and Abel Ferreira spearheading their attack, but he brought on the former Tottenham and Benfica striker and midfielder Miguel Veloso as his side attempted to mount a fightback.

Sporting were lifted by the introductions, and soon after Abel forced a good save from Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Barcelona had let their dominance turn into complacency, and they paid the price on 73 minutes when they were caught napping while defending a free-kick, allowing Tonel the time to steer to ball past Victor Valdes on the half-volley.

That strike looked to be the catalyst for an unexpected comeback, especially when an under-par Lionel Messi blasted a shot wide from close range.

However, the outstanding Xavi calmed Catalan nerves with three minute to go when he got on the end of Andres Iniesta's teasing cross to prod home and restore the two-goal cushion.

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola says that he is under no illusions that the team must start winning after they only managed a 1-1 tie against Racing on Sunday to make it four games without a win in all competitions.

The Blaugrana have earned just one point and scored one goal in their opening two matches, making it their worst start to a season since 1973-74.

"We know that at the end of the day you're judged on results," said Guardiola. "But I'm happy with the Racing game because even though we didn't win, we played well.

"Yes, it does make you a bit uncomfortable and the players know that at this club you have to win every game. That's why starting with a home win is crucial."

A win against Sporting is a must, and Guardiola says he is confident that he has the Portuguese side's number despite acknowledging them to be a good team.

"I reckon it'll be a fine match because I've seen how we play and how they play," the ex Barca midfielder added. "I know how to approach the game and how to get at their defence and counter their strengths. We've got to go for it and win the game."

"They look good especially in midfield and up front. They are quick on the break and have some superb players such as Moutinho, Veloso and Rochemback, who used to play for Barça."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com