An early goal from teenager Bojan Krkic gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over Schalke 04 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Arena AufSchalke on Tuesday.
Barcelona, bidding for a second Champions League title in three seasons, helped themselves to the lead when Thierry Henry's cross from the left set up the 17-year-old Bojan to divert the ball into the roof of the net.
The Catalans kept control throughout the first half but Schalke looked a different side after the break and almost hit back with two clear chances midway through the half, as first Fabian Ernst then Halil Altintop saw shots slip just wide.
Soren Larsen put a free header past the post as the Germans hurled players forward but Barcelona held on to take a valuable lead into the second leg at the Nou Camp on April 9.
The prize is a semi-final against either Manchester United or AS Roma.