Barca through despite Krakow loss

Barcelona made it safely through to the group stages of the Champions League despite losing 1-0 at Wisla Krakow on Tuesday.

The Spanish giants went into this third qualifying round second leg tie on the back of a 4-0 first leg win over the Polish champions and qualified 4-1 on aggregate.

The two-time European champions were missing Lionel Messi, the Olympic gold medalist with Argentina, but welcomed back Daniel Alves from injury.

Wisla's Brazilian centreback Cleber scored the only goal of the encounter in the 52nd minute, but it wasn't enough to turn around their gaping first leg deficit.

Having ensured their participation in Europe's top club competition with all the prestige and revenue that that brings, the Catalan club can now concentrate on their opening league game against CD Numancia at the weekend.

Barcelona, who have gone two seasons without a trophy, had met Wisla in the third qualifying round seven years ago, winning 4-3 away and 1-0 at home.

Despite going through to the group stages their visit ended on a low note with an injury time booking for France international striker Thierry Henry.