Goals from Thiago Alcantara and Cristian Tello have given Barcelona 2-0 lead over Real Zaragoza at half time.
Barca began slowly but were able to dominate the game after their first goal on 20 minutes.
Zaragoza started confidently against a much-changed Barcelona side, passing the ball well through Helder Postiga and Rodri, who is on loan from Barca.
The away side finally managed an attack in the 12th minute when Alex Song released Tello. The youngster pulled the ball back to Xavi but he was crowded out on the edge of the box.
Another counter-attack shortly afterwards did produce the opening goal. Thiago broke forward and played in Alexis Sanchez, before collecting the return ball and firing past the goalkeeper.
Barca started to play a lot better after that and five minutes before half time they got their second. Thiago slipped the ball through to Tello, who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and fired it in at the near post.
There was even time for Sanchez to test the goalkeeper again before the break, but he was equal to the task and the sides went in level.
Daniel Cross
