FC Barcelona strengthened their position at the top of the Liga by defeating bottom-of-the-table Xerez CD on Wednesday although they were made to work hard for their victory.
The game was initially scheduled for 19/20 December, but due to Barcelona's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup this month the match was brought forward.
Following Sunday's 1-0 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid in "El Clasico", coach Josep Guardiola opted to leave several key players on the bench, including newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, and made a number of changes to his line-up.
The opener came two minutes into the second half when Henry headed home Maxwell's cross from close range. The hosts struggled hard to get back on level terms, but Zlatan Ibrahimović finally confirmed victory three minutes into added time collecting a perfect pass from fellow substitute Lionel Messi.
Guardiola’s men face fifth-placed RC Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday 5 December before their journey to Kyiv for the UEFA Champions League Group F match against Dynamo.
Xerez – Barcelona – 0:2 (0:0).
Barcelona: Valdés, Daniel Alves, Márquez, Chygrynskyy, Maxwell, Toure, Keita, Xavi, Pedro (Messi, 55), Krkić (Ibrahimović, 67), Henry (Iniesta, 83).
Goals: Henry (46), Ibrahimović (90+3).
www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua
