With an eye on PSG, Barcelona do enough to get past Cadiz

João Félix scored the only goal of the game as Barcelona produced a "professional" performance in a 1-0 win over Cádiz. The win meant they kept pace with Real Madrid who won 1-0 earlier in the day over Mallorca.

Xavi Hernandez sent out an alternative side with only Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Pau Cubarsi and Sergi Roberto repeating from the side that beat PSG in the Champions League midweek.

The first half was rather dull, to say the least, with neither side mustering anything resembling a goal scoring opportunity.

All that changed in the 37th minute as off a corner kick, a Cádiz defender tried to head it away but only managed to deflect it. João Félix then produced a bit of magic and successfully pulled off an overhead kick to give Barcelona the lead.

The Catalans had an opportunity to increase their lead in the waning minutes of the first half as Fermin Lopez saw what he thought was a sure goal saved off the line by the defender.

The second half proved to be a more open affair with the home side finally managing to produce some attacking plays. But Barcelona did well in limiting those chances to long range efforts or shots that were easy to save for Ter Stegen.

With Cádiz getting more into the game, the likes of Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were brought on to add more of an attacking threat. Jules Kounde was brought on earlier in the half to provide Andreas Christensen some rest and shore up the defense.

While the subs didn't pay off quite like they did in Paris, it was enough for Barcelona to pull off the win and remain eight points behind Real Madrid ahead of El Clasico next week.

"We knew we would suffer here," Xavi said after the match. "Cádiz are a well organized and aggressive side. It was a really professional performance.

"We wanted to win to keep the pressure on Real Madrid. It wasn't easy but it's three important points. We are fighting for LaLiga, we want to compete. It's not in our hands but it's up to us to try and cut the gap on Madrid. There is ambition, commitment. Everyone is up for it. I am proud of the team."

With Girona losing to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona have put some breathing room between themselves and their Catalan neighbors and are now five points up on Girona.

As mentioned, El Clasico against Real Madrid is up next for Barcelona. But before that, there is the matter of the second leg of their quarterfinal tie against PSG in the Champions League. Suffice to say, next week is going to be an important one as it will define the rest of Barcelona's season.