Barca scrape to win over APOEL Nicosia in CL campaign opener

Barcelona started their Champions League campaign on a winning note, thanks to a goal from centre-back Gerard Pique, but they were far from convincing 1-0 victors at home against APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday.

Pique headed home the only goal of the game from forward Lionel Messi's free-kick midway through the first-half, but APOEL managed to subdue a much-changed Barca side despite the presence of Messi and Neymar up front.

And Luis Enrique's men had debutant Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for a fourth consecutive victory to start the season as the German 'keeper made a flying save in stoppage time to deny Gustavo Manduca, Sport24 reported.

Barca do though go to the top of Group F as Ajax held French champions PSG 1-1 in Amsterdam with Barca set to travel to Paris on matchday two.

Barca midfielder Xavi Hernandez said that they struggled, and they tried to move the ball quickly and didn't manage to do it. He added that it is true that they dominated and they tried through the middle and wide, but APOEL defended very well.

Hernandez, who equalled compatriot Raul's all-time record of Champions League appearances with 142, said that in the end it was a tiring game, but Barca has won and they have to treat it like it is. He added that it is always good to start the group stage with three points.

Enrique made nine changes from the side that started Saturday's 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao with Messi and Munir El Haddadi the only players to retain their place.

Sergi Samper became the latest youngster to make his debut in the early stages of Enrique's reign, whilst Neymar was handed his first start of the season after coming off the bench to score both his side's goals at the weekend, the report added.