Andres Iniesta admitted Barcelona were caught cold in the first half as they were forced to come from behind to beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Thorgan Hazard's opener was cancelled out by second-half efforts from Arda Turan and Gerard Pique as the Spanish champion's made it two wins from two in European competition this season.
However, it was far from straightforward for Barca in Germany and Iniesta revealed Monchengladbach's tactics had surprised them.
"The way they played wasn't what we had predicted," the midfielder said after the game. "We had to turn around a difficult situation, but I think we managed to do so with a complete performance.
"We were struggling to find spaces [in the first half]. They were quite deep. We were thinking they'd press more, but that wasn't the case.
"In the second half we managed to find space inside and we were able to get a little more continuity into our play. It was a demanding game and the three points are very welcome."
Barca defender Pique, who bundled home the winning goal in the 74th minute, felt his side's improvement in the second half coupled with Gladbach's inability to maintain the standards they'd set in the opening 45 minutes proved the difference.
"Borussia couldn't give as much after the break and we made fewer mistakes in the middle of the pitch," he said.
"They didn't attack us as much and we were much better, creating chances, keeping the ball.
"We knew it would be difficult here. They've won 14 of their last 16 home games. It has a lot of merit to come here and to produce this performance. I think it's a deserved win."
The Blaugrana top Group C with six points from their opening two games and next host Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on Oct. 19, who drew 3-3 with Celtic in Scotland on Wednesday.