Champions League: Barcelona win at Monchengladbach

Gerard Pique’s first goal of the season gave Barcelona victory in Germany

Barcelona came from a goal down to beat Borussia Monchengladbach and make it two wins out of two in this season’s Champions League.

Barca, who beat Celtic 7-0 in their opening Group C game, trailed to Thorgan Hazard’s opener in Germany.

Substitute Arda Turan fired in the equaliser before Gerard Pique bundled in the winner for the Spanish side.

Elsewhere, Paris St-Germain were 3-1 winners at Ludogorets and Napoli beat Benfica 4-2.

Luis Enrique had to come up with a rare solution to the problem of Lionel Messi’s absence, with the Argentine striker missing with a groin injury.

His initial solution was to start Spain international Paco Alcacer in Messi’s place, alongside Neymar and Luis Suarez in a front three.

The home side were not overawed, though, and took the game to the visitors, opening the scoring through Hazard’s poked finish following Mahmoud Dahoud’s pass.

If Enrique’s initial tactics were misjudged, he made amends in the second half, sending on Turan, who made an immediate impact with a drilled finish after latching on to Neymar’s floated pass over the top.

Pique completed the turnaround nine minutes later, finding the net from close range after Suarez’s shot had been blocked.

The 3-3 draw between Celtic and Manchester City means Barca top Group C, two points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side, who they host at the Nou Camp in three weeks.

BBC

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