First-half goals from Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez helped Barcelona secure a 2-1 home win against Shakhtar Donetsk in their Champions League Group H tie on Wednesday night.
The locals dominated from the start despite missing several key players due to injury and suspensions, and they opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a Torres volley from a rebound after 20-year-old Lopez's strike from close range smashed into the right post.
The UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk will be played at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain
Xavi has not named all of Jules Kounde, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha for Shakhtar's visit.
Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal recovered from their niggles to feature in the Athletic win, where Ronaldo Araujo also came off the bench, with the trio expected to start against Shakhtar.
Marc Guiu will be raring to play his first-ever Champions League game after his dream debut on Sunday.
Lopez, who was impressive for a Barcelona side depleted by injuries to the likes of striker Robert Lewandowski, also hit the crossbar with a second-half shot when the reliably inventive Lamine Yamal played him in.
Barcelona are next in action at home to Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday, when they will start the game a point behind their arch-rivals, who sit top of LaLiga.
Shakhtar have three points and remain third in Champions League Group H. They host Barca in both clubs' next game in the competition on November 7.
"It was a hard-fought victory in a difficult match. It was hard for us. I'm happy for the win and for helping out with a goal," man of the match Lopez told Movistar Plus.
"Xavi told us that winning today would be key to get closer to securing a place in the knock-outs. We suffered a bit but we got the three points".
Barca are top on nine points, six ahead of Porto, who have a game in hand and later on Wednesday visit bottom side Antwerp, with the Belgians yet to earn a point. Shakhtar are in third place on three points.
Barcelona will host rivals Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the LaLiga season on Saturday.
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