Puyol’s returns sparks Barcelona

A GOAL-SCORING cameo from defender Carles Puyol put Barcelona on their way to their second Champions League victory of the season to inflict Stuttgart’s second defeat.

Substitute Puyol, who returned from a three-month injury lay-off in the Primera Liga win over Levante on Saturday, bundled in the opener at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion before leaving the action early for fear of further injury.

Lionel Messi scored a second to put the Catalan giants level at the top of Group E with Rangers, following the Scottish side’s 3-0 win at Lyon.

At times the visiting Catalans performed like matadors, teasing their opponents, but the German champions threatened twice in quick succession through Mario Gomez, only to be repelled by Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

And Alexander Farnerud spurned the opportunity to give the hosts a half-time lead, before Puyol and Messi calmed fears of a shock.

Ronaldinho returned as captain after a three-match absence due to a calf injury, with Puyol on the bench.

But club captain Puyol was called into action early on when Rafael Marquez was forced off with the Achilles injury which had led him to miss the win at Levante.

Deco had a shot which brushed the outside of the post from distance inside five minutes.

Gomez ran at Lilian Thuram after nine minutes and almost exposed Barca’s defensive frailties but pulled his right-foot shot wide from the left side of the box.

Messi was denied by Raphael Schafer from close range before he had a shot blocked by Ricardo Osorio as Barcelona threatened to run riot.

Ronaldinho found Henry with a chip over the defence for the Frenchman to volley first-time only to see Schafer turn the ball round the post. Valdes made two saves to deny Gomez, who headed high with his first effort and then low with a second, which was palmed away.

Stuttgart should have taken the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Farnerud contrived to miss with the goal gaping after Valdes had parried Gomez‘s shot.

Ronaldinho met Xavi’s corner after 53 minutes with a firm header which Schafer could only parry after being obstructed by Gomez and Puyol punished the error by firing home from six yards.

Messi and Henry combined and Henry ran down the right side of the box before pulling the ball back to the Argentine, who slotted the ball beyond Schafer.

Farnerud, substitute Ciprian Marica and Cacau each shot from distance as Stuttgart struggled to find a way back. And Bojan, on for Ronaldinho, curled wide in stoppage time as the visitors earned their second win of the competition.