Having reduced the difference with Real Madrid to two points, Barça’s defeat at Atletico Madrid has seen the gap open again to five. Despite taking the lead through a tremendous overhead kick from Ronaldinho, Barça were hit by two goals before half time that left them groggy and Atletico, led by a superb Kun Agüero, took full advantage.
Frank Rijkaard surprised everyone by continuing with his policy of rotations, leaving Leo Messi on the substitutes’ bench; however, after the game Johan Neeskens claimed that it was because Messi was not at 100%. Whatever the truth, Barça began with Eto’o out of position on the right, Ronaldinho out of position at centre forward, and Thierry Henry playing on the left.
For the first half an hour Barça dominated the game but without creating any decent chances. Eto’o found the net after ten minutes but was just offside, and besides that there were some hopeful long distance shots from Zambrotta, Edmilson and Henry. There was very little understanding between the forwards and Xavi and Iniesta failed to give any decent service. It needed something special to make a breakthrough and it came in the 30th minute when Xavi crossed from the right for Ronaldinho to beat Abbiati with a super overhead kick.
I have to say at this point I thought Barça would go on to win comfortably, but Atletico got a somewhat fortunate equalizer six minutes later when Agüero’s shot took a wicked deflection of Puyol to give Valdés no chance. If anyone was at fault for the goal it was Milito for allowing Agüero to get past him. Then in the 42nd minute, Agüero slipped the ball between Abidal and Milito to Maxi Rodriguez, Edmilson was slow to react and Maxi shot across Valdés from a tight angle into the far corner.
Barça failed to react after half time and Agüero could have scored again after beating the offside trap but his shot went into the side netting. Barça’s forwards continued to struggle and the best service went towards Henry who twice failed to control long passes that might have put him one against one with the goalkeeper. In the 56th minute Messi came on for Henry and the forwards moved into their natural positions, but by this point Atletico had the crowd right behind them and were looking much the better team.
In the 61st minute Puyol clumsily gave away a penalty on Agüero which Forlan converted sending Valdés the wrong way. Barça missed a chance to pull one back after Ronaldinho flicked on a corner to Eto’o who kneed the ball goalwards but Abbiati saved it on the line. Barça paid the price after 70 minutes when Agüero capped a splendid performance with a fantastic goal, unfortunately both Puyol and Milito might have done more to stop him.
Eto’o pulled a goal back after Gudjohnsen had had a shot blocked, but it was too little too late. Barça pressed for another goal and Eto’o came close again in injury time but poked the ball wide. I have to wonder what might have happened if Eto’o had played the whole game at centre forward.
Rijkaard is bound to face criticism for leaving out Messi and Toure, but only the people inside the club will know if they were not at 100% physically. Of course it was an important match, and I imagine both would have been risked if it was a Champions League final, but we just don’t know whether there might have been a risk of further injury. Having said that there really is no excuse for not playing Samuel Eto’o at centre forward; of the three forwards who started the game the least suitable played in the middle. Then again, Ronaldinho did respond with a goal, and Rijkaard can not be blamed for some of the mistakes made by the players today.
Barça really cannot afford to slip up again, though we have seen in the last few weeks how quickly things can turn around in football. There are still twelve games to go in the league and I’m sure we will see a few more surprises.
Barça: Valdés 5.5; Zambrotta 6, Puyol 5, Milito 4.5, Abidal 5.5; Xavi 5.5, Edmilson 5 (Gudjohnsen m62, 6), Iniesta 5.5, Eto’o 5.5, Ronaldinho 5.5, Henry 4.5 (Messi m56, 5.5).
Goals: m30 Ronaldinho 0-1; m36 Agüero 1-1, m42 Maxi Rodriguez 2-1, m62 Forlan (pen) 3-1, m71 Agüero 4-1, m73 Eto’o 4-2.
Barça yellows: m16 Iniesta, m61 Puyol, m81 Zambrotta, m87 Eto’o
Click here for Ronaldinho’s goal. It’s by far the best thing from the game, and I love the commentator on this clip.
51 responses so far ↓
Mirnes // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:18
NO COMMENT !!!!
Taras // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:23
Nic, I have two questions. First is why did you put Ronnie 5.5? I understand you were in a bad mood after the match but he deserved 7. And was the Atletico’s first goal scored by Aguero or it was an own goal by Puyol?
Barca #1 // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:23
No surprise at the result. Rijkaard fielded a B-team. The Midfield went to sleep after Ronaldinho’s stunning openning goal.
You cannot win the league by giving games away!
As soon as Edmilson and Henry were taken off the game dynamics changed for the better (but it was too little to late).
If i was coaching Barca - Edmilson would not be wearing the blaugrana shirt ever again.
Having 75% possession and lossing 2-1 is telling.
Defensively Barca are S-word.
We need to bring quality into the defense either home grown or foreign — but something has to be done. Abidal was shaky, Puyol was shaky, Zambrotta was non-existent.
Xavi and Iniesta came in and out of the game.
I am truly saddened by their performance today and to add to my woes RMA won 1-3
Taras // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:28
Barca #1- Madrid won 3-2.
Barca #1 // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:36
Yeah, i just realized. I turned the game off in disgust after they popped in the 3rd.
Barca #1 // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:42
However, it is the points that matter. And Barca thew away a perfect opportunity to keep the gap at 2 points. RMA will be hard pressed without Ramos and Ruud.
I hope some serious soul searching takes place prior to the game against Celtic. A good performance will hardly be enough against a team they already have down. They cannot afford to loose or concede soft goals.
I trully hope ( notice that my confidece in the back 4 is shattered) that the team can pull a decent performance against Villareal.
Nic // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:42
Taras, despite his fantastic goal I thought Ronnie was poor today. None of the players deserved a 7. As for whether or not it was an own goal, I don’t really care, perhaps it should go down as an own goal but I thought both Puyol and Valdés were unlucky with that one.
Barca #1 // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:45
And btw, Rafa Benitez has clearly shown us that a rotation policy does not work.
Resting players is important. But the transition to rest players should be seamless.
The Barca that played today was completely different to the Barca that won 5-1
Jordi-FCB // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:47
Nic never saw the same found out the result before hand and couldn’t bear to see the game delayed knowing the score, but I agree with you just because Ronaldinho scored doesn’t make him the best player on the pitch also heard that Athletico had White Surpemcy flags and were buring senyeras is this true ???
Nic // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:50
Hi Jordi. I didn’t see anything of the flags except for the usual Spanish and Atletico flags behind one of the goals. Unfortunately there’s always a few fascists in Madrid though.
Taras // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:51
I’m not saying that you can put him 7 only because of the goal, but he has also had some nice touches and passes.
Barca #1 // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:52
There was a pire for sure. TV didn’t clearly show what it was that they were burning. It looked like flairs to me. But then again i had half my eyes closed due to anger and despair because of the 4-2 scoreline.
FCB - Canada // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:53
Bah! I thought this game was going to be on Sunday and missed it! Glad I did considering how it turned out. Sigh what a let down.
Frede // Mar 2, 2008 at 0:03
This game was a lesson for Rijkaard - is has to be! That said, the players on the pitch today simply didn’t do their job. They completely lost their head after Ronnie’s stunner and Kun’s lucky equalizer.
It was a weak performance, so lets all cross our fingers for the game against Celtic. This will be an opportunity for the players to show what they can do.
Blaugrana // Mar 2, 2008 at 0:07
Edmilson deserved a 4.5, one can believe rijkaard was insane to play dinho in the middle IT DOES’NT WORK!! Rememba sevilla? and henry(0n field spectator) sorry TITI186 he was shite 2nite even 4 a newcomer,i say sell titi,burn rijkard ,flog dinho and lets
layi // Mar 2, 2008 at 0:08
i love rijkaard but i wont be to pained if he was replaced…was he tryin a new formation or what using the center forwards on d flank…even if he was tryin a formation, was he blind it was not workin…b4 and after d ronaldinho goal, there was no penetration whatsoever…henry is really in another land…As 4 the defence, i’m not surprised…attack has always been our strength…im really sad
Rafael // Mar 2, 2008 at 0:13
Ronaldinho’s goal was amazing.
But I think after that, it was almost as if Barca was shell shocked!? Next thing you know, their tied, then two down!
Yaya should have not been rested, and Messi should’ve started, with Eto’o in the middle, Ronnie on the left and Messi on the right.. We could have kept the gap at 2 points!!
But now, my hat goes of to Kun Aguero.. he was simply amazing tonight despite being 19!
Does Barcelona have too many high calibre players?
Winterhunt // Mar 2, 2008 at 0:54
Sadly we got what we deserved, and now have dug ourselves back into a hole. Maybe, we grew a bit too overconfident, but I had a bad feeling about this all week long. Leaving out Toure to me was a sign of overconfidence, I think on Frank’s part, as was starting Messi on the bench. Also after scoring the first goal, we definately let up, as I’m sure they were informed the Real had fallen behind. Regardless, maybe they needing a good kick in the rear for this final quarter of the season. Madrid will of course at some point drop points but we cannot focus on anything but our performances. People forget that aside from last year’s fixture, we had not won at Athleti in ages….. A bad day all around….. Sometimes, though you need to have your head handed to you or you start to believe your own hype and think all you have to do is show up…. To me both Valdes and (God I hate to say this but) Puyol were truly dreadful….. We need to thrash Celtic and then Villareal neither an easy fixture to get our confidence back….. We got what deserved, sadly…..
PHaft // Mar 2, 2008 at 0:58
I agree with many comments made above:
Toure Yaya is playing his best football right now — he needed to play in this game, and lack of an effective holding midfielder in front of the back four was our problem tonight. “El Kun” destroyed our back four; he made them look like the teenagers. Edmilson and Milito were particularly ineffective, and Valdes completely misplayed their second goal.
I think Henry needs to be on the bench for now — he has had his chance and has turned in several bad games in a row.
Its too bad; we really missed an opportunity — Atletico had only won 2 out of the last 10 matches before this one.
On the bright side, I think Sergio Ramos will be facing a few match ban for his behavior when red carded against Recre.
I hate this dumb rotation system — I think that our best 11 need to be playing every game at this point, and only through injury or suspensions should others be cracking the staring 11. I like Rijkaard, but some of his tactical moves defy logic — like leaving Messi out.
I think I broke my hand slamming it down on the floor when we fell behind 2-1……ouch!
NateW // Mar 2, 2008 at 1:17
I like to see the insight and passion for the team this blog has.
I Had to post even though I didn’t get chance to see the game as yet .. to find out what happened to my resurgent barca
But with atheltico needing a bounce back .. and at home .. “barca back to their best” as the media were frenzying .. i could have seen were athletico would have gotten an increased incentive to perform. They are also a good team .. look at their results from the first half of the season.
was xavi poor in the game? against levante he was a consistent creator from deep in midfield to the forwards. Picking out long and beautiful passes, From beginning to end.
YAYA is such a solid complement to our defense. From the beginning of the season you could see how effective that man is and with that scoreline i could tell he was missed.
Hilal // Mar 2, 2008 at 2:45
Rijkaard needs to go. Every other game he makes mistakes that cost us. Not playing Messi, starting Edmilson, playing Ronaldinho down the middle and Eto’o on the right. He just got it all wrong today. Why on earth would he rest Messi? Did he think athletico away was gonna be a cake walk? If your holding mid is not playing cos he is injured then you play your STRONGEST front 3, in their favoured positions to make up for it. You dont mess aroung sticking all 3 out of position and keeping your best player on the bench for most of the game. SHOCKING. I have said this before and I will say it again….Rijkaard must go. Whether or not Mourinho should replace him i cannot say but this guy just makes waaay too many mistakes. Plus whats up with all the rotations? When we won the double we played our strongest team pretty much every game, except for injuries and suspensions. The only rotations were at left and right back. I honestly do not think we are going to win the league this season, and not because we dont have the players or the drive just because I can see Frank making more mistakes like this. Madrid did not play particularly well tonight but they won. We could have kept the pressure on them, now its back on us!
Oh and btw Edmilson today was AWFUL! He lost the ball way too much and he directly cost us two goals through bad defending and giving away possession. HE should have been sold last summer and I think he was going to leave but then he got injured. We need a SOLID backup for Yaya. Was Marquez injured today? Why didnt he just play holding mid!
What pisses me off the most is that I know we could have won this game had Rijkaard not messed around so much. Even with Yaya out we could have put the game to bed in the forst 30 mins had he played our strongest 3 where they belong. Instead all 3 played out of position and we looked toothless. It is almost like Frank is trying to make it harder for us to score goals.
Speeka // Mar 2, 2008 at 3:26
Great match. They deserved the win & Puyol has not had many worse games than that.
But on the bright side, Ronnie’s goal was a cracker.
People calling for Rijkaards head, after a loss, again!Blaming him like Atl Madrid @ home is an easy game.
Speeka // Mar 2, 2008 at 3:31
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4k7eb_01-ronaldinho-atletico-madrid-fc-ba_sport
Bloody nice goal. I bet a few cameramen thought their Nikon’s were up for grabs again.
FCB - Canada // Mar 2, 2008 at 3:38
Thanks for the link! Daaaaamn that’s a sweet goal!
Hilal // Mar 2, 2008 at 3:55
Speeka, thats the whole point, its not an easy game and yet he rested key players and messed around with the front 3!!
Blaugrana // Mar 2, 2008 at 5:58
Edmilson we now know who the black sheep is huh big mouth,pack your bags and take ezquerro with you DISGRACE,
layi // Mar 2, 2008 at 8:45
hilal, i tink we are brothers….we certainly tink the same way, if ur defence is not set, then use the atttack to make up for it, instead rijkaard thought otherwise
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 2, 2008 at 10:21
4-2 I can’t believe it! Barca need 2 get rid of Edmilson and some playa like mascherano 2 fill in for Toure’s absences! Also Thuram is leavin in da summer so we should get Garay to replace him! Zambrotta is leavin 2 so we should get Daniel alves! And sell Sylvinho and buy Lahm then we’ll have a sik defence!
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 2, 2008 at 10:29
————————–Valdes——————-
Zamb————Puyol——- Milito ———-Abidal
——————Yaya Toure—————
Messi—— ———Xavi———————Ronnie
Henry—————Eto’o
Perfect Barca lineup
pep // Mar 2, 2008 at 11:03
What can we say. Big mistake by Rijkaard to not start with Touré and Messi. If you want to rest them, you can do that in a less crucial game (like against Celtic).
But at least everyone is back with their feet on the ground now. It was silly to suddenly hear all the talk about winning the liga, becoming first this weekend or even winning the treble. Please. Only hard work and focus will make us win something.
Luis // Mar 2, 2008 at 11:16
dissapointment. we cant throw games away like that.poor coaching to leave out players of that quality.they werent even injured.barca 4 life
John // Mar 2, 2008 at 11:26
Knowing the score in advance I could only bear to watch the first half… Seeing the first 30 minutes I could not believe a team so much in control could lose in such a manner. Yes Atletico’s first goal was rather fortunate but with all the possession Barca had they should have killed the game.. For all that possession how many chances were created…? Some of Rijkaards selection decisions were a little questionable. This was always going to be a tough game but it was a game that Barca were more than capable of winning… that is what is so disappointing about the result… It appears many of the traits from last year re appear when a good run is put together, massive over confidence and the inability to work hard for the full 90 minutes. This has been the hall mark of Barca over the last 18 months. Changes are required in the summer…
Taras // Mar 2, 2008 at 12:03
I agree with Jack that something must happen in the summer, and of course Rijkaard must be replaced after this match, not because of the result, because of his tactics. But I’m also afraid because if Rijkaard leaves than Barca’s style of football can change to the defencive style and than it won’t be so entertaining to watch the team play.
Jay // Mar 2, 2008 at 13:05
Like Messi had said a couple of days back, it’s all in our own hands. So if we want to lose like we did yesterday despite a brilliant start and a brilliant opener, then we will lose.
Messi should have started. We were a little unlucky to not convert possession into goals, which hurts. Can’t say about Yaya Toure as Edmilson was fine enough.
Yes, Nic, none of the players deserve 7. Not even Ronaldinho. His goal was a delight though.
Jay // Mar 2, 2008 at 13:05
One more thing is that at least we lose when we deserve to unlike our Madrid counterparts.
Zeshan // Mar 2, 2008 at 13:17
I have to say i was very sad with the performance of barca yesterday but what is wrong with barca fans..? it was 9 points for four weeks ago and now its five.. and is 12 game to go we can still win la liga we got to believe in our team we cant just give up right now.. HUGE mistake not playin toure and messi.. damn !!! But King Ronaldinho is starting to show is old self!
BOSUN // Mar 2, 2008 at 13:18
our problem is OVERCONFIDENCE and also underestimated them,and also lack depth in our players
Lonny-Barca // Mar 2, 2008 at 13:25
Oooh My GOD i can’t belive this this is terrible result :S.
Rijkaard is problem here nobody else he is guilty about this what happen.
I don’t know why he is here why he is standing on Barca..??
He is terrible coach i hate him.
And one thing don’t forget, if Rijkaard will stay on Barca, Barcelona will never be Champion cuz he is a loser MAN i hate him :@
Speeka // Mar 2, 2008 at 15:15
Wow sounds like your related to Rudy Voller.
Your all(Rijkaard bashers) also forgetting that their 1st goal was very Lucky. Puyol had a terrible game & another one of the goals would have been saved by Valdez on another day. Thats just football.Why i love La liga.
Like someone above said, loads of matches left & Madrid are on very shaky ground. La Liga still very much up for grabs & a match at the Bernabeu too. Copa del Rey & CL still in play.What else could you bloody want!
Blaugrana // Mar 2, 2008 at 16:36
What do we want speeka? To play like against celtic and WIN, not dumb gambling on rotation and think 1cup is m0re important then the otha!!
Nic // Mar 2, 2008 at 18:16
I understand that it is quite normal to look for who is to blame after frustrating performances like that of yesterday. I’m the first to admit that Rijkaard made mistakes but all the calling for his head is too much if you ask me. I sometimes think some fans would actually prefer a president of the Jesus Gil type who would sack a manager after any defeat.
I promised a short while ago to look up the statistics comparing Cruyff and Rijkaard - maybe it will make some of you realise that Rijkaard is one of the best.
Cruyff was in charge of the Barça for exactly 3oo league games. The team won 179 of those games, with 68 draws and 53 defeats. If you take 3 points for a win that is 605 points from 300 games which is an average of 2.016 points per game.
Rijkaard has been in charge for 178 league games with 109 wins, 41 draws and 28 defeats. That’s 368 points from 178 games giving a superior average of 2.067 points per game.
I know they are only statistics but it’s worth remembering. Then again there were always some people calling for Cruyff’s head as well.
Jay // Mar 2, 2008 at 20:07
The Rijkaard hate is weird. C’mon guys, there was luck involved in their equalizer and then the players sort of lost focus. A coach’s mistakes would be visible the instant a game gets underway, according to what I feel. So for the first 30 minutes, we were excellent and had that remained we would have won. But the players began to lose drive towards the opposition goal as the match progressed and Atletico scored and their defence was good. Samuel Eto’o missed two chances which would have been a 4-4 draw probably. Then, who would you blame or praise or whatever?
After the win in Celtic and cutting the lead to two points, Rijkaard’s praises were being sung again. So just one defeat calls for his head, huh? His only fault I believe is not realizing that Lionel Messi is the only candidate who truly justifies the right-sided forward role, out of the Fantastic Four.
Frank Rijkaard is the NOT the problem with Barcelona. Sometimes, it’s just not your day in football.
Jay // Mar 2, 2008 at 20:09
@ Lonny Barca
Dude, if your a true Barcelona fan, you wouldn’t write what you have written. You don’t just jump onto the bandwagon when a team is winning and then move to another when your team loses…..that’s not football.
Rijkaard, like Ronaldinho, deserves all the chances at Barcelona.
layi // Mar 2, 2008 at 21:14
jay, what u said about some days not just being a good day for a team dosent apply for this match, we didnt create much clear chances
as for rijkaard, the thing about him nowadays is his inconsistency, i dont know whether he it is because he is under pressure…he just dosent notice some very little things. i am very proud of his philosophy but doin things like playin ronaldinho in the middle, etoo on the right and edmilson against athletico makes it very frustrating for the fans because we are left wondering what might have been…i hope you understand
Youssef Gazia // Mar 2, 2008 at 21:16
This is by far the most commented page on fcbnews.com.
Taras // Mar 2, 2008 at 22:46
Youssef Gazia- not by far, the article “Fabregas, Lampard and the Webster ruling” had 38 comments.
John // Mar 2, 2008 at 22:59
In my opinion the issue with Rijkaard and the teams performance is not just the last few games but the performance of the last 18 months. Two years ago Barca were the best team in Europe without doubt. Since Paris the team has never matched that level of performance. Last season the league was thrown away by over confidence and sloppiness. We went out of the Chmapions league to a very average Liverpool side. Compare that to the two seasons previous and the epic encounters with Chelsea. Rijkaard must take the plaudits for the wonderful way in which the team played 2/3 years ago, he must now take respnsibility and rectify the problems that have existed for the last 18 months. If he cannot rectify the problems that are for all to see.. the poor away form, the failure to kill games off and what maybe another season with out a trophy! Then I feel we must look to change things in the summer.. If we improve and start playing like the team know they can then Rijkaard should stay… At the end of the day it is a results business and if you aint getting the results….
rafael // Mar 3, 2008 at 2:36
I wonder if Rijkaard is under pressure from more senior management?
Perhaps people are making decisions for him.
All I know is that Rijkaard should not be fired this season. I think we are capable of La Liga and UCL without a doubt and Rijkaard is a person who can take us there!
Jay // Mar 3, 2008 at 13:21
@layi
In some ways, it wasn’t our day. I agree Sergio Aguero was brilliant, but the first goal was very lucky. And an equalizer can dent an opposing team’s thinking and approach to the game.
After such a rocking start, good dominance and a great opener, if we concede that fluke of a goal and then go on to lose is down to ourselves, but also to it not being our day.
I still believe of course that they played better.
Your points regarding Rijkaard are true. But he has to rotate the squad as the team is in contention for all three competitions. Edmilson playing wasn’t a bad decision as such. Even Ronaldinho at the centre. But Eto’o didn’t work out. He only came into the game after he was centre-forward following Henry’s substitution. Actually, I am very pro-Rijkaard and it’s always difficult to admit that Rijkaard made mistakes.
Which he did.
Lonny-Barca // Mar 3, 2008 at 17:03
OOoh Jay u are wrong now.
We can write here everything what we want this site is for giving opinions and i’m fans of Barcelona and i want to see it good, but Rijkaard is not good for barca he is for 2nd league he is terrible :@
He’s doing evrything wrong. :S
layi // Mar 3, 2008 at 21:34
lonny-barca, take it easy…you are really pissed
jay, at least you admitted you are very pro-rijkaard…explains some things
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