Academy interest: Barca show future in safe hands

Rubin will have to make do with a place in the Europa League after finishing third in the group. FC Copenhagen beat Panathinaikos 3-1 in the Danish capital to finish second and secure a place in December 17s draw for the knockout round. Fans hoping for a show from Barcas three Ballon dOr nominees,Lionel Messi,Andres Iniesta and Xavi,were initially disappointed,with Messi and Iniesta left on the bench and Xavi watching from the stands.

Coach Pep Guardiola had also rested striker David Villa,forward Pedro,captain Carles Puyol and first-choice goalkeeper Victor Valdes but the youngsters promoted in their place still had far too much quality for a toothless Rubin.

The visitors mustered only five attempts on goal to Barcas 17,while the Catalans enjoyed 75 percent of possession and showed they have plenty of in-house talent pushing for a regular place in the first team.

Defender Fontas struck in the 51st minute when his left-foot shot was deflected into the net off Vitaly Kaleshin and forward Vazquez,who had replaced the injured Jeffren in the 13th minute,added a second with a fine curled effort in the 83rd.

Trademark runs

Its impossible to be happier,scoring in the Champions League is the best, Fontas,who was making his first start in Europes elite club said.Before the match I was a bit nervous but once I got out there everything changed, the 21-year-old added. Playing in this team makes everything easier and now I just need to keep working.

Messis introduction with just under half an hour to go lifted the crowd and the reigning World Player of the Year managed some trademark weaving runs,although he failed to add to his six goals in the campaign.

The Argentina forward this week joined Iniesta and Xavi on the shortlist for the Ballon dOr,to be announced later this month,the first time since AC Milan in 1989 that the same club provided all three finalists for the award.

Guardiola congratulated the B team players and singled out Vazquez,23,who came through the clubs youth academy at the same time as Messi,Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and Spain defender Gerard Pique,for special praise.

He hasnt made it yet due to injuries,not because he lacks quality, Guardiola said at a news conference. He knows that he has to put in a good year in the second division to see what we will we do with him.

Barcas victory was soured by the injury to Jeffren,who damaged a leg muscle,and a knock on the head to Bojan Krkic. The La Liga champions finished the group phase with 14 points from six matches,with Copenhagen on 10,Rubin on six and Panathinaikos on two.