Pada awal pertandingan, Barca bermain di bawah tekanan, sebelumnya kalah 0-1 dari Real Madrid di pertandingan terakhir tahun lalu, dan mengawali pertandingan dengan lamban melawan tim yang tampil lebih tajam selama periode pertama.
Barca went into their game under heavy pressure, having lost 1-0 at home to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the final match of last year, and made a sluggish start against the islanders who were sharper for much of the first period.