This had shades of the Alaves game but in the end Barcelona won. Lionel Messi scored, from the penalty spot again, and Gerard Pique grabbed what proved to be the winning goal.
Dinamo Kiev, hit by Covid-19 and packing a squad with only 13 first team players, impressed. Particularly their goalkeeper, just 18, on his first-team debut. Ruslan Neshcheret produced a string of sensational saves to keep Ronald Koeman’s side at bay.
The Dutch coach will not be happy with his team’s performance but can point to the stunning display from Dinamo’s No 1 (tonight, anyway).
Not that Barcelona had a quiet night in front of their goal. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, on his return to action, also made some very good saves. It is vital that he is back.
Messi was fouled in the box within five minutes and converted the penalty, with Ansu Fati crossing for Pique to head in the second after 65 minutes.
Tsygankov pulled a deserved consolation back for the visitors at Camp Nou as he evaded Alba to turn home a rebound, but Barcelona took the three points. It was tighter than they would have liked.