Barca takes 2-0 win over Ceuta with young squad; coach wants more goals
Barcelona defender Maxwell scored in the 16th minute, and striker Pedro added a second in the 25th minute, as Barcelona beat Ceuta comfortably 2-0 in the Spanish Cup on Tuesday 26 October.
Despite the scoreline, Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola would have liked to see more goals he told
Marca.
"We played an excellent first half, full of intensity. In the second half, we were more hesitant, and did not do so well.
"We lacked more goals, but I congratulate my players for their performance. We ran more than our opposition and I leave very satisfied. One more goal would have been nice.
"We have been in good form and controlled the game. We achieved a good result. On a day like today, a coach is proud to be in charge of a team like this."
Barcelona will head back to the Camp Nou for the second leg to be played on 10 November.
"It was an important victory that leaves us one step away from qualifying," goal scorer Maxwell said of his team's, and his own, performance. "The goal involved very
nice play with Bojan and it was an important goal for me, I am very happy.
"For the second goal, I saw Thiago enter the area, but fail to make contact, and the ball came to Pedro, who finished well."
Barcelona fielded what must rightly be regarded as a 'B' squad, as Guardiola decided to rest many of his regulars. He was, nonetheless, pleased with the performance of
his youngsters.
"The youth team players have a good level, and I want to congratulate the youngsters," he said. "It's never easy to play a game with the first team. We know the players and we knew they would give us what
they did. To sum up, I`m very pleased with the game we had.''
The one setback for Barcelona during the match was an injury to striker Jeffren who was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. He is expected to be out for about a month.
The two teams will meet again in Barcelona in two weeks. Although Barcelona have a comfortable lead as they return home Guardiola is not about to rest on his laurels.
"If at home we are able to play with this intensity we will go through," he said. "(But) you need to take into account that football gives many surprises.''
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