Barca beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 away

Barca beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 away

MADRID, Jan. 30 -- Barcelona beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 in Sporting's El Molinon Stadium in a game the La Liga leaders should have won by a more ample score.

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) and Sporting Gijon's Alberto Lora jump for the ball during their Spanish First Division soccer match at El Molinon stadium in Gijon January 30, 2010.

The Catalans totally outplayed Sporting, but after Pedro Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game they were denied by a mixture of wayward finishing and the excellent work of home goalkeeper Juan Pablo.

Despite the missed chances, it was a game Barcelona rarely looked in danger of dropping points.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola left Thierry Henry on the bench and started with Pedro in a three man attack along with Zlatan Ibrahimovich and Leo Messi.

Rafael Marquez stepped into defense to cover for the injured Dani Alves with Carles Puyol moving across to right back.

Barcelona kicked off knowing a win would lift them momentarily eight points head of Real Madrid in the table. After a bright start from a Sporting side that was clearly highly motivated, Pep Guardiola's side took control of the game. Xabi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets took command of the midfield and the chances began to spring up for the visitors.

FC Barcelona's members celebrate after scoring against Sporting de Gijon during their Spanish La Liga soccer match at El Molinon stadium in Gijon northern Spain, Saturday Jan. 30, 2010. Barcelona won 1-0.

Iniesta went close before Ibrahimovich had a goal ruled out for offside and Barcelona had to wait until the 30th minute to take the lead.

Pedro broke the offside trap and kept his nerve to beat Sporting keeper Juan Pablo from the left side of the area.

Ibrahimovich hit a free kick just over the bar and the Sporting keeper had to be smartly off his line as Messi threatened to add a second just before half time.

Sporting kicked the second half off brightly as Barca's narrow lead left them in contention, but after only a short period, the visitors regained control.

Iniesta and Ibrahimovich went close before Sporting coach Manuel Preciado made a double substitution on the hour bringing David Barral and Diego Castro into the match.

It had little effect as first Messi and then Ibrahimovich on two occasions threatened Juan Pablo's goal.

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina controls the ball during his Spanish La Liga soccer match against Sporting Gijon at El Molinon stadium in Gijon northern Spain, Saturday Jan. 30, 2010.

Ibrahimovich has yet to score in 2010 and it seems the Swede has completely run out of luck in front of goal and his frustration mirrored Barcelona's lack of a decisive second goal.

Pedro went close to his second two minutes from time, but again the Sporting keeper pulled off a good save as he did in the last minute to frustrate Ibrahimovich.

That proved to be the last chance of the game and although they failed to repeat last year's 6-1 win, there is no doubt Barcelona lifted the maximum points.

FC Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez, left, celebrates after scoring against Sporting de Gijon during their Spanish La Liga soccer match at El Molinon stadium in Gijon northern Spain, Saturday Jan. 30, 2010.
(Reuters)