Champion's League: Barca youngsters undone

Barcelona's Champions League Group C campaign ended in defeat as Pep Guardiola's inexperienced side were punished by Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Catalans snatched a late victory in Ukraine earlier in the campaign but Shakhtar managed to exact some revenge by exploiting a much-changed Barca team's inexperience tonight to end their impressive unbeaten home run.

Oleksandr Gladkyy scored either side of half-time to put his side 2-0 up at the Nou Camp before Sylvinho pulled one back. But when Fernandinho got a third, Sergio Busquets' 83rd-minute strike mattered little.

Guardiola rang the changes with his team already guaranteed top spot in Group C. Seydou Keita, Sylvinho and Alexander Hleb were the most experienced players in the hosts' line-up alongside several youngsters and the likes of Bojan Krkic, Busquets and Martin Caceres.

Among those players given a break were Lionel Messi, Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Dani Alves and the hat-trick hero against Valencia, Thierry Henry, as Guardiola keeps one eye on next weekend's Primera Liga showdown against Real Madrid.

Mircea Lucescu's side had already been forced to settle for third place and a spot in the UEFA Cup after Christmas.

Despite their youth Barca dominated the early possession with Mali international Keita trying his luck twice without success.

In the ninth minute Bojan's effort from outside the effort failed to cause Shakhtar goalkeeper Andrei Pyatov any difficulties.

Willian had a go at the other end and won a corner when Gerard Pique deflected his shot high over the bar.

Another Barcelona half-chance saw winger Pedrito head straight at Pyatov from Sylvinho's cross before Hleb shot powerfully, forcing Pyatov to punch away.

Bojan had another go in the 21st minute when he created space and fired a powerful shot which Pyatov parried.

In the 31st minute Shakhtar hit back in style, however, as Barca switched off and paid the price. Razvan Rat worked the ball to Willian from the left and the Brazilian did well to find Gladkyy, who put the ball beyond Albert Jorquera to hand his side the lead.

Barca dominated proceedings early in the second half just as they had in the first.

The lively Pedrito tested Pyatov twice with teasing corners after Victor Vazquez had forced a save with a long-range shot.

But it was 2-0 in the 58th minute when Shakhtar again stunned their opponents. Barca keeper Jorquera was completely caught out by Jadson's free-kick as Gladkyy seized the opportunity he was gifted to head home.

Barca finally came to life a minute later, however, as Sylvinho made a trademark push forward and exchanged a one-two with Keita before slotting home.

Shakhtar hit Barca on the break for a third time in the 75th minute, Rat again involved as he bombed forward before squaring the ball for Fernandinho to score.

Again Barca showed some life by pulling a goal back. Eidur Gudjohnsen, on as a substitute, chipped a delightful ball into the area for young midfielder Busquets to bury and at least restore some dignity to the scoreline.