Sánchez gives Barça the advantage

Alexis celebrating his first goal

Alexis Sánchez scored twice as Barcelona earned a 3-1 away win at Bayer Leverkusen. Lionel Messi was also on the scoresheet whilst Kadlec scored for the home side.

The German side started the game very defensively and looked to park the bus. A dangerous tactic to play against a team with the attacking qualities of Barcelona. The Catalans dominated possession but failed to really test the Leverkusen goalie. Barça's first chance fell to Dani Alves, the Brazillian international lined up a free kick from just outside the German side's area. After convincing Messi he was the man to take it, Alves wasted the free kick by blasting the ball over the bar.

The reigning European champions could've been ahead if it weren't for a crucial interception by Daniel Schwaab. Alexis broke clear of the defence and looked to square the ball to Messi. A certain goal if it weren't for Schwaab's sliding block. After a period of little chances, Alexis Sánchez eventually broke the deadlock. The Chilean produced a perfectly timed run and was duly picked out from an exquisite pass by Messi. The summer signing speeded past the Leverkusen defence and blasted the ball through the keeper's legs. The ball nestled into the side netting, putting Guardiola's men ahead.

Bayer Leverkusen looked happy to be only trailing by one and both sides went in reasonably happy at half time. Leverkusen picked up the pace at the start of the second half and within seven minutes, the German's were level. Michal Kadlec found space in the box and was picked out by a well weighted ball. The 27 year old easily headed past a hopeless Valdés.

Soon after Dani Alves again missed the target from a set piece. A free kick positioned perfectly for a cross was taken by Alves who went for the spectacular. He powered the ball over the wall but the ball kept rising and again flew over the bar.

Three minutes after Leverkusen's equaliser, Alexis doubled his and Barcelona's goal tally. This time Cesc was the provider as his through ball cut through the defence and fed straight into the path of Alexis. The winger tricked his way past a diving goalie and finished from a tight angle.

The game continued in the same way with Barcelona having nearly all of the chances. At 2-1 the scoreline was not representative of the match but one minute from time Lionel Messi scored the Catalans' third goal of the night. Messi and Avles were both the arcehtects of the goal with a neat series of passes resulted in Alves clear on goal. Unselfishly the right-back squared the ball to Messi, who happily tapped the ball home.

Guardiola commented that the win was a welcome relief after losing more ground in the title race. But in this competition a two goal advanatge looks too much for Leverkusen to overcome, especially with the second leg tie coming at the Camp Nou.

Full time result: Bayer Leverkusen 1-3 Barcelona

Goal scorers: Bayer Leverkusen: Kadlec (52) Barcelona: Alexis (41 & 55) Messi (88)

Team lineup:
Bayer Leverkusen: Leno, Corluka (Danny da Costa 90), Schwaab, Friedrich, Michal Kadlec, Rolfes (Kiessling 77), Reinartz, Lars Bender, Gonzalo Castro, Schürrl (Bellarabi 90), Renato Augusto Subs: Oczipka, Michael Ortega, Ömer Toprak, Yelldell
Formation: 4-2-3-1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés, Dani Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Abidal, Fábregas, Busquets, Iniesta (Thiago 61), Alexis (Cuenca 86), Messi, Adriano (Pedro 70) Subs: Pinto, Jonathan dos Santos, Sergi Roberto, Bartra
Formation: 4-3-3

Stadium: Bay Arena

Referee: Craig Thomson