Barca en-route to Champions League semifinals after 5-1 win


Barcelona's Gerard Pique (L) shoots to score against Shakhtar Donetsk during the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona April 6, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
FC Barcelona look to have booked their place in the last four of the Champions League following a 5-1 home win over Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
The Catalans now have a comfortable lead to take to the Ukraine next week while the Barcelona players made light of the words of coach Pep Guardiola on Tuesday, when he commented that he was worried about the physical condition of his side.
In response to their coach's words, the Barcelona players produced a magnificent display that could well put them on the way to a semifinal clash with Spanish rivals Real Madrid.
Guardiola kicked off with Sergio Busquets in central defense, Seydou Keita in midfield and Javier Mascherano in the holding role to free Andres Iniesta to help in attack.
It provided to be a wise move as Iniesta opened the scoring in the second minute. The midfielder, who has just become a father, received a pass from Leo Messi and scored with a right foot shot from inside the penalty area.