European and Spanish champions Barcelona laboured to a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Copa del Rey fourth-round encounter against unfancied Hospitalet this evening.
Andres Iniesta's 41st-minute strike was all that separated the Catalan giants from their third-tier opponents in front of a crowd of just 2,500 at Estadi La Feixa Llarga.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola included a number of fringe players in his line-up but showed due respect to the opposition by fielding established stars such as Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets and David Villa.
The return leg will be played at the Nou Camp on December 21.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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