A fine victory in the Calderon maintains Barça’s title hopes alive. However, for the first 30 minutes Barça were as lacklustre as in many of their recent games. The first real goal attempt didn’t arrive until the 32nd minute when Ronaldinho smacked a free-kick against the post, but Barça then came alive by capitilizing on an injury to Maniche. Atletico were briefly down to ten men when Messi made his first contribution to the game. picking up the ball 35 yards from goal he set off on a characteristic run, he then played a one-two with Eto’o before crashing in a left-footer. Atletico were forced to change their tactics and come out in search of an equalizer; Barça made the most of the spaces they left at the back. Before half-time, first Zambrotta lobbed Pichu and then Eto’o got on the end of a Deco cross to make it 0-3 at the break. The second half was all one way traffic and it just seemed a matter of how many would Barça score. Ronaldinho made it 0-4 after 56 minutes after another one-two with Eto’o. Eller was sent off with 20 minutes to go and it seemed that his team mates would have liked to go off with him. Messi scored his second of the game with a neat lob over the unfortunate Pichu, and Iniesta finished the job after Eto’o unselfishly set him up. So with three games to go Barça still have a good chance to take their third Liga on the trot, but will have to hope Madrid drop points.Valdes …………………..6.5

Zambrotta ………………6.5
Thuram …………………..6
Puyol…………………….. 7
Gio ……………………….6.5

Edmilson…………………. 6
(Motta,m77) …………….–
Xavi ……………………….6
(Gudjohnsen,m81) ………–
Deco ……………………..6.5
(Iniesta,m67) ……………7

Messi …………………….7.5
Eto’o ………………………8
Ronaldinho ……………….6.5