In the 12th minute, defender Inigo Martinez showcased his aerial superiority by scoring his first goal in Europe this season. Raphinha delivered an excellent free-kick to the back post, allowing Martinez to direct a powerful header into the far corner.
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Just a minute prior to this goal, Barcelona's star striker Robert Lewandowski experienced a horrific moment when he was fouled just outside the box, leading many to worry about a potential injury. Fortunately, he was able to recover quickly and continued to contribute to the team's efforts on the pitch.
Crvena Zvezda look to claim an upset against FC Barcelona
Crvena Zvezda hoped to return to winning ways after losing their previous Champions League outings this season in their backyard as they hosted Barcelona. The Serbian club had already conceded 11 goals in 3 fixtures of the Champions League. One of their young sensations, Andrija Maksimovic, even called out Yamal in the pre-match interview.
Barcelona's primary goal was to secure a place in the top eight, which would help them bypass a tricky playoff round. Currently sitting in tenth place, a positive result in Belgrade would be enough' to propel them into a stronger position as they reach the halfway mark of the competition.
As for the team, there wasn't much to talk about updates regarding player availability. Ferran Torres, Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, and Eric Garcia remain sidelined, but the focus remains on maximizing the potential of the players on the field.
Lineups for the fixture
Barcelona's starting XI - I. Peña, Joules Kounde, P. Cubarsí, I. Martínez, G. Martín, Frenkie De Jong, M. Casadó, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski.
Crvena Zvezda starting XI - M. Ilić, Y.W. Seol, N. Djiga, M. Rodić, Silas, . Krunic, . Kanga, T Elsnik, Maksimović, C Ndiaye