'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Dynamo Kyiv show no attacking intent against Barcelona
Dynamo Kyiv knew fighting for the ball with a ball-dominant team like Barcelona would be foolish. So they sat back in their half, trying to soak up the pressure. However, in doing that, the visitors sacrificed their attacking game, ending the game without a single effort on target.
Barcelona's high press had the Ukrainian side pinned back firmly, so much so that they couldn't even play the ball out from the back. The closest Kyiv came to scoring was from a set-piece. Barcelona failed to clear their lines and Viktor Tsygankov fired a shot, but Pique was on hand to block the effort.
Considering Barcelona's struggles in Europe this season, Kyiv should have adopted a more adventurous approach to take the game to the Blaugrana.
#2 Gerard Pique nets landmark strike
Barcelona had drawn Dynamo Kyiv in the group stage of the last Champions League season as well. They won their home game just like they did on Wednesday. One of the goalscorers that night was Pique, just like he was tonight.
In that game, he connected with a beautiful cross from Ansu Fati inside the box to power home a header. On Wednesday, the Spaniard received a similar peach of a cross from Jordi Alba, and thumped a low drive into the bottom corner. Pique has scored only twice in the Champions League in the last 12 months, and both have come against Dynamo Kyiv at the Camp Nou.
His latest strike made Pique the joint-most prolific goalscoring defender in the Champions League, joining Roberto Carlos (16).
In the process, the 34-year-old became the oldest Barcelona player to score in the Champions League. Interestingly, the Blaugrana have won each of the 14 Champions League games Pique has scored in for them.
#1 Barcelona avert danger for now
A third defeat in the Champions League would've been absolutely catastrophic for Barcelona, and would have virtually ended their hopes of reaching the Round of 16. So a victory against Kyiv has given them some breathing room.
With their win, they climb above Kyiv to third place in the group, and another victory on Matchday 4, two weeks from now, will be a further boost to their last-16 chances. However, the Blaugrana must find their best form.
This wasn't the most convincing of performances from Barcelona. They missed some absolute sitters against a modest opposition, never looked to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Against bigger teams, Barcelona could be severely punished.
Barcelona had no trouble controlling the game against Kyiv, but severely lacked pace and intensity. Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho both came off the bench to help the side a bit in that regard. With El Clasico coming up this Sunday, the Blaugrana need urgent improvements.
