This was the captain’s first appearance since picking up a knee injury on January 23, and he was the big change in the Barça starting eleven. He performed brilliantly alongside Piqué in the centre of defence, but asked to be substituted in the 58th minute.

In his post-match press conference, Pep Guardiola said Puyol had “worked extremely hard and has strained his hamstring a bit. But it’s not a serious injury and we will try to get him fit again for the future”.

Adriano also hurt

Adriano Correia picked up a soleus injury in his left leg, and was substituted by Mazwell in the 80th minute.