xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_20398" align="alignnone" width="580"] Luis Suarez enroute to his goal against Sevilla. Twitter[/caption] Internet Desk: Luis Suarez and Munir El Haddadi ensured Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 in the opening leg of the Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup) but the victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan came at a cost of Barcelona. Following a sensational return of 59 goals from 53 club matches last term, Suarez was soon back on the goal trail with a 54th-minute opener. Munir was the first non-enforced substitution made by Luis Enrique and, amid his ongoing search for attacking reinforcements, the Barcelona boss was given a timely reminder of the 20-year-old's quality. Attempts by Luis Enrique's team to settle were dealt a blow when Mathieu made way with an apparent hamstring injury, allowing fellow Frenchman Lucas Digne to come on for his debut at left-back. Iniesta was then on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Mariano and, with the Barca captain failing to overcome a heavy blow to his right knee, Denis Suarez followed Digne in making an earlier-than-planned debut in the 36th minute of a bruising first half for LaLiga's champions. The participation of club icon Iniesta and defender Mathieu in Wednesday's second leg at Camp Nou could now be in doubt, but their team-mates will at last take a healthy advantage into that encounter. Rico's impeccable positioning came to Sevilla's aid four minutes after the break when Luis Suarez glanced a beautifully flighted cross from his namesake Denis goalwards and the same two players were involved when Barcelona broke the deadlock. Denis Suarez was allowed space to pick a pass into the area once more, where Arda Turan pivoted to cleverly chest the ball into Luis Suarez's path for a typically clinical finish. The goal shifted Barcelona into gear and Rico's reactions were at their best to claw a dinked finish from Messi to safety before the Sevilla goalkeeper denied Sergi Roberto at the near post in the 64th minute. Messi linked effectively with the right-back on that occasion and the mercurial Argentine made light of Iniesta's absence by masterfully holding up play, gliding through midfield and threading a perfect pass for Munir to prod past the on-rushing Rico as Sevilla's earlier verve faded from view.