Barcelona ensured there would be no Copa del Rey giant-killing this evening as they secured a professional 2-0 win over Segunda B minnows Ceuta in the first leg of their round of 32 tie.First half strikes from Maxwell and Pedro put the Catalan side on easy street, and although there was no further scoring after the break, the two-goal cushion should be more than enough to see them through the second leg at the Camp Nou.
Pep Guardiola took the opportunity to give his fringe players a run out, with Bojan, Seydou Keita, Javier Mascherano, Adriano and Pedro making up the backbone of the team.
Barca took immediate control of the game and tried to get at Ceuta down the wings. Pedro and Jeffren were particularly prominent, and were ably supported by flying full-backs Maxwell and Adriano.
And it was Adriano who was first to test Ceuta goalkeeper Nauzet Perez when he cut in from the right and curled a low effort at goal, but the home side's number one saved with ease.
It was no surprise when the deadlock was broken 16 minutes in. Maxwell played a neat one-two with Bojan and then rifled home from an acute angle to make it 1-0.
The Catalans continued to dominate and doubled their advantage ten minutes later. Left-back Maxwell turned provider this time as he swung over a deep cross which Pedro did superbly well to force into the net at the far post.
It should have been three shortly afterwards but Bojan side-footed against the cross bar from seven yards with the goal at his mercy after he arrived right on cue to meet Pedro’s inviting centre.
Ceuta had one real chance in the first 45 when the ball broke to Raoul Loe on the edge of the box, but the Frenchman‘s effort was weak and Jose Pinto blocked with his feet.
Despite Barcelona being in complete control – at one point they recorded 79% possession to Ceuta’s 21% - they failed to add to their tally and went in at the break 2-0 to the good.
The second half was a very low key affair in which both sides looked content with their lot. Barcelona appeared happy to knock the ball about and retain possession then make the occasional attacking burst.
Ceuta, on the other hand, kept ten men behind the ball in an attempt to stifle Barcelona and come away with a respectable scoreline.
Nauzet made strong saves to deny Adriano and Bojan in the only noteworthy incidents in the second 45.
Although it was hardly an inspirational evening, Guardiola will be pleased that his side negotiated a potentially tricky away tie in a professional manner.
The sides meet again on November 9, when Ceuta travel to Catalonia to face their illustrious opponents at the Camp Nou in the second leg of the tie.
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