French winger Ludovic Giuly gave league champions Barcelona a 1-0 victory over King's Cup winners Espanyol in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at Montjuic on Thursday.

The former Monaco player steered a first-time shot past goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz in the 44th minute after Ronaldinho [Images] had threaded a clever pass through the defence.

Barca struggled to find their rhythm in the first half of the traditional curtain-raiser to the season and it was city rivals Espanyol who had the better of the opening minutes.

The goal settled the nerves of the European champions and they would have extended their lead in the second period but for a string of fine saves from Iraizoz.

Frank Rijkaard's side host Espanyol in the second leg at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Espanyol, who beat Real Zaragoza 4-1 in the final of the King's Cup but only avoided relegation thanks to a last-gasp goal in the final match of the season, played the more fluent football for much of the first half.

Brazilian midfielder Fredson twice went close, lashing over after good work by new signing Francisco Rufete and also forcing Victor Valdes to make a fine reaction save from a venomous 20-metre drive.

Valdes came to the rescue again when he parried a fierce shot from midfielder Pablo Zabaleta.

Barca were in better form in the second half and substitute Lionel Messi [Images] and Ronaldinho had several chances but were thwarted by the alert Iraizoz.

Rijkaard gave Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta his debut late in the game.

The club's other two close-season signings, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Lilian Thuram, were left on the bench.

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