When it gets to the point that 1-0 away to Sporting Gijon is a disappointment for Barcelona, we know that this team isn't anything like any side we've seen before. However, a win's still a win, and the result takes the defending champions up to first in the table on goal differential, so there won't be too many complaints about it.
Sporting Gijon Vs. Barcelona, 2011 La Liga: Defending Champions Earn Narrow Win
Adriano had things pretty easy in making it 1-0 to Barcelona after just 12 minutes, sliding home after Xavi Hernandez had struck the inside of the post. It was a bit of a false dawn - the visitors would never cut so smoothly past Sporting's defence again. A list of injuries for the Catalans didn't help, and they were particularly hurt by the absence of both Andres Iniesta and Cesc Febregas.
However, an inability to score isn’t a problem when you have a) the lead and b) 76% possession, and the hosts were unable to seriously threaten Victor Valdes’ goal. So, despite scuffling in front of the net, there was never any sense that Barcelona would drop points here. If that goal had come later, things might have been very interesting indeed...
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