A goal from Xavi Hernandez fifteen minutes from time earned a weakened Barça side a point at Sevilla, but it will go down as two points lost, as Madrid tomorrow can go eight points clear at the top if they beat Valladolid. Barça managed to scrape a point out of a game which looked lost, and in the last 15 minutes after the sending off of Sevilla’s Keita, they really should have won it.
With so many players out Barça could have done with having Ronaldinho at 100%, but despite him playing two games as substitute last week and having another week to improve his condition, Frank Rijkaard left him on the bench again, and started with Giovani dos Santos on the right, Messi in the middle and Henry on the left. Oleguer returned to the team at right back while Edmilson started his first league game of the season in midfield because Marquez was not considered to be fit enough to start after playing 90 minutes for Mexico on Thursday morning.
Barça played a pretty awful first 45 minutes, creating practically nothing and looking shaky at the back. Victor Valdés was forced to make four good saves before Sevilla finally took the lead on 34 minutes. Oleguer never managed to control Capel on the left and had a horrible game. To be fair to Oleguer, Capel is a great player who gave Puyol plenty of problems in the Copa del Rey match in January, but there were times tonight when it looked like Barça were going to be thrashed.
On the right side Dani Alves also caused problems going forward and Rijkaard left it to Iniesta to track back with Alves leaving Henry to roam in the space left. Henry had little joy with the tactic and after 34 minutes it cost Barça a goal. Alves burst forward on the right and Henry left it to Iniesta to chase back, because Iniesta had been caught slightly forward Abidal had to come out to meet Alves. This left Jesus Navas in loads of space when Alves craftily slipped the ball between Abidal and Iniesta. The defence was suddenly in all sorts of trouble and Milito didn’t have time to get across to cover, Navas centred and neither Thuram or Oleguer were quick enough to mark Capel who got in at the far post to score.
Barça could count themselves lucky to be only one goal behind at half time. Rijkaard put on Ronaldinho and Marquez in place of Thuram and Edmilson but things did not improve much. Sevilla began to concede territory but Barça could not get a sniff of goal. Barça were playing almost a 4-2-4 formation with Messi and Ronaldinho through the middle and Ronaldinho’s first attempt on goal was an embarrassingly poor effort. In the 58th minute Gudjohnsen came on for Henry who went off holding his thigh, and Barça regained their shape a bit with Messi finally moving to the right, but it seemed as if sooner or later Sevilla would punish Barça on the break.
In the 75th minute Luis Fabiano got in down the right and his cross was almost turned into his own goal by Rafa Marquez, Valdés being lucky to save. A minute later Gudjohnsen found Messi who sent a neat ball through to Xavi who managed to toepoke an effort past Palop for the equalizer. I have to admit that at this point I could hardly believe we were back in it. Then two minutes later Messi, who had suddenly come alive, forced a foul from Keita on the edge of the box, and Keita saw his second yellow card of the game.
Now it was possible, the win was there for the taking, and Barça began to look like they wanted it. Messi forced three more free kicks in the last ten minutes but Ronaldinho wasted them all. In the 86th minute Marquez flicked on a corner and Messi sent the ball back across the face of the goal but no Barça player was there to score. Capel caused Barça a couple more late anxious moments to no avail, but it was Barça who should have won it at the end. In the very last seconds another Ronaldinho free kick was deflected towards goal but Palop was there to save easily.
It is difficult to see this as a point won or two points lost. At half time I was just praying we wouldn’t be humiliated. Obviously we needed to win the game and after Keita’s sending off we really should have won it. However, given the number of players missing and the team we were up against, I don’t think we should be too gloomy about the result. Of course when Madrid win tomorrow many will say the league is over. It isn’t. There are still fifteen games to go and 45 points to be won.
Barça: Valdés 7; Oleguer 4, Thuram 5 (Marquez m45, 6), Milito 6, Abidal 5.5; Xavi 7, Edmilson 5.5 (Ronaldinho m45, 5), Iniesta 6; Messi 5.5, Henry 5 (Gudjohnsen m58, 6), Giovani 5.
Goals: m34 Capel 1-0, m76 Xavi 1-1.
Barça yellow cards: Milito m18, Iniesta m45, Abidal m66, Messi m71.
24 responses so far ↓
Rafael // Feb 10, 2008 at 1:12
Valdes probably man of the match for Barca?
My God.. Barcas backline looked in all sorts in the latter stages of the first half. Oleguer has no match fitness.. but we had no other choice. It was almost like Barca came to life as soon as they scored.
Ronaldinho had a maybe 5-6 chances from dead ball range, but realistically only 1-2 were in accurate range. Luis Fabiano should have been called hand-ball = penalty kick = 3pt tentative Madrid lead.
I think they did well. Toure, Zambrotta, Deco, Eto’o, Bojan, Puyol are all top class internationals who are missing!
blaugranafan // Feb 10, 2008 at 1:16
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Oleguer is a terrible player, and he proved it today by making a fool of himself. Generally when I say this, some Catalan fans come to his defense because Presas is Catalan and very political. I’m happy that the Catalan fans sitting next to me today share my opinion however. He had a ruinous effect on our defense today–not the first time he has caused Barca to lose points.
The number one offseason priority for Barca is not to go for Lahm, Garay, or Benzema. It is to offload this joker so that in he will never cause damage to Barca’s fortunes again. (I don’t mind Oleguer getting burned by Capel; but how can anyone defend this guy’s marking and tackling?)
“However, given the number of players missing and the team we were up against, I don’t think we should be too gloomy about the result. Of course when Madrid win tomorrow many will say the league is over. It isn’t. There are still fifteen games to go and 45 points to be won.” –I’m going to hold you to your 86 point requirement from a few posts earlier, Nic
If your math is right, this result means Barca should only be able to afford two more draws this season. And to be honest, I’m in a similar frame of mind. I think a team that wants to win La Liga or the Premiership should aim to top 80 points.
Personally, I am content with the result, because playing at Sevilla is a big task. But unfortunately, because the team screwed around at the beginning of the season and didn’t get the results it should have, Sevilla and Zaragoza have become must-win games in my book, and I am disappointed in the team.
Gio lost the ball a lot, but he has crazy pace.
kuga // Feb 10, 2008 at 2:23
oleguer was terrible…but thanks to valdes and xavi..we still got one point ..
we should have won the game with sevilla only having 10 man..but flashing to the terrible 1st 75minutes..i guess a draw is a fair result..
Sevilla was defenitely causing all sort of problem up front untill the end…even with 10 men left…
raji // Feb 10, 2008 at 7:18
i must say that im torn between whether that was two points lost or one point gained. It was never going to be easy playing the likes of Seville and considering our away form - im more leaning to a point gained (but must say i left the match with the taste of defeat in my mouth). I love Barca so much and i just wonder how during last summer transfer window the sporting director and technical staff overlooked the need for adequate backup for the right back position. Oleguer should be playing for a midlevel club in spain and not champions like Barcelona. I concur on getting lahm for that position- he has pace, great technique and the ability to play on both flanks. And one last thought- why is abidal so afraid to take on players and use his speed? he never seems to attack anymore compared to the beginning of the season [go watch the Atletico V Barcelona game ] ??????????????????????
Blaugrana // Feb 10, 2008 at 8:02
I’am dissapointed about the draw it’s 2points lost.Oleguer is a straight clown and should be sent to the circus, i hope dinho has his bags packed already he’s not UCL material anymore,
pep // Feb 10, 2008 at 16:42
1-1 in Sevilla isn’t a bad result at all (Madrid lost 2-0 there this season, last season the game meant the beginning of losing the title for us), but we’ll probably be on eight points tonight, since Madrid doesn’t drop points at home. And with Zaragoza away next week… I’d say we should concentrate on the Champions League.
Speeka // Feb 10, 2008 at 17:35
A point gained & all thanks to Valdez. With so many players missing, it was never going to be easy like some novices seem to think.Only a fool would go to the Ramon Perez & expect an easy game. From the start they looked the same side, that people were calling one of the best Club side’s in the world.Thanks to so amazing Goalkeeping, it didn’t turn in to the massacre some correctly predicted.
Speeka // Feb 10, 2008 at 17:38
…also weird that no one has inquired about Henry’s injury yet!
Know anyting about that Nic?
pep // Feb 10, 2008 at 17:47
Henry wil be able to play next week. Oleguer is out for six weeks.
PHaft // Feb 10, 2008 at 20:03
I am the biggest Barcelona fan, but there are things that need to be said:
I just finished watching the first half of Real Madrid - Valladolid (5-0 for Madrid at halftime).
Barcelona’s problem right now is that their players cannot finish chances. 1 goal per game is not going to allow us to win any championships. And we have plenty of chances, but no goals to show for it! The free kicks and corner kicks lately have been awful. I can’t remember the last set piece by any Barcelona player that helped us score. All of Ronnie’s kicks were just garbage. We have to have more desire and a killer instinct. It makes me angry to see us squander chances.
Madrid has had 7 shots in the first half against Valladolid, and 5 goals! When they get the chances, they make the opposition pay. Valladolid had 60% possession, but against Madrid, it does not matter. Valladolid also played a stupid strategy with their back line so high, but my point is still valid. Madrid’d players capitalize on opportunities, and Barcelona’s players just do not. We could easily be 12 points behind instead of 8.
Barcelona just does not put away chances. Yes, we have plenty of forwards, but none are in form (except Samuel Eto’0, who has not retutned from Africa yet). I was even dissappointed with Messi in the last 2 games. Ronnie is just not himself. And please, let us never put Oleguer in the game; he is awful and putting him up against Diego Capel was not smart.
I know its a long season and we have 45 points still to play for, but we need to make a statement and score more than 1 goal per game. If we do not, we won’t even win Copa del Rey. I am not giving up yet, but I have to say it how it is.
Hurry back Samuel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nic // Feb 10, 2008 at 20:46
I’ve been out all day and rushed back to watch the African Cup. I’ve now posted on Oleguer and Henry. Looks like Eto’o may be injured now too.
And Madrid are now 7-0 up
Varughese // Feb 11, 2008 at 7:45
hello blaugranafan,
did we had any other choice than have oleguer in team. He may not be that great but then he had no match practice also and who you are going to put in that position - one of the reserve players. Don’t blame oleguer only for the trouble, if oleguer was the only bad player why we had all kind of raids from the right. Simply put alves and Capel are two wonderful wingers in the game now. He troubled Puyol left-right means oleguer is not going to have a chance.
What was Messi doing till the 75th minute, it was the red card which actually woke him up because he was finding space. He should have done more in the initial stages. He simply is not trying, with his talent and vision he was supposed to make a statement in this match.
pep // Feb 11, 2008 at 9:05
“Valladolid also played a stupid strategy with their back line so high”
This is so strange: against madrid most teams think they can get something and go for it. Against us they just sit back and wait. I don’t get it.
blaugranafan // Feb 11, 2008 at 14:10
Varughese:
Thanks for your comment. You’re right–Capel’s a great player. And I’m not blaming *only* Oleguer. The whole team stank in the first half (particularly the right side, where Gio and Presas somehow lost their first touch and kept turning over the ball). But I do think Oleguer is a terrible player, and he’s cost us a number of points last year. I have no idea who the reserve right backs are, but given Presas’ performance, giving a youngling a chance instead of Presas might not be a bad idea.
Hilal // Feb 11, 2008 at 14:38
“What was Messi doing till the 75th minute, it was the red card which actually woke him up because he was finding space. He should have done more in the initial stages. He simply is not trying, with his talent and vision he was supposed to make a statement in this match.”
I dont blame Messi for this. Messi is a winger NOT A STRIKER. This was a tactical mistake which Rijkaard has made in the last few games. Messi plays best on the right, maybe even the left but he was being played down the middle, completely shutting down his game. The few times he drifted to the right he looked dangerous, same thing in the last game. The problem is not our players, the problem is our coach. He simply does not know what to do when the team is not at 100%. Everybody says what a great coach he is and he won the double. Well he won the double with a fully fit team all on form and playing at their best, even Guily and Edmilson were great that season. Now we are seeing how he handles a team with injuries and unfit players and it is clear that he cannot handle it. We are predictable, we are stale and the opposition know how to play against us. He makes stupid decisions about who should start, he couldnt make a good sub to save his life and for the love of god try something besides 4-3-3 which clearly does not work without Eto’o. STOP PLAYING HENRY ON THE LEFT!! We got him to replace Eto’o so use him as a striker and not Messi who never had and never will be a No 9. We need a new coach, the fact that Puyol has come out and said he would not mind seeing Mourinho at Barca says it all!
Nic // Feb 11, 2008 at 15:55
Hilal, I agree with a lot of your arguments. In fact I’ve just posted an article that covers many of your points.
Dr.Osmo // Feb 11, 2008 at 16:48
Cruyff Blames Barça Midfield For Sevilla Draw
Writing in his weekly column for El Periódico de Cataluña, Johan Cruyff has laid the blame for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla squarely at the feet of Barcelona’s three central midfielders.
Varughese Rajan // Feb 11, 2008 at 17:38
blaugranafan:
i do agree that Oleguer is a below average player. He has made world class blunders early also, the best was getting himself send off in Madrid match last season. But Rijkaard cannot risk taking a Reserve player when visiting Sevilla, this for him was a much safer bet.
Hilal:
If Messi is the great player he claims to be he needs to show some significant attacking skills in the toughest match. I will not blame Rijkaard for using Messi in the middle, he has no choice Giovani don’t know how to fit into middle, Henry never will - see his record with France (in tough matches) his position is left. Then Messi is the only choice left in the group or he has to change the formation - which i have strongly supported (in my blog) atleast in away matches. I know we got Henry to replace Eto it was a stupid decision, we need a centre striker and the only choice left is Bojan.
I do agree that Rijkaard is not doing the right thing by taking Messi from right, but I am worried about his attitude - he lookde not at all interested and more over he is not linking well with any team mates after his injury comback.
Mourinho as Barcelona coach? My god i don’t want to see him in the club.
I have wrote something about it, http://vkr-fcbarcelona.blogspot.com/2008/02/rijkaards-future-and-mourinho-option.html its all my personal views maybe mostly emotional.
Nic // Feb 11, 2008 at 18:07
Dr Osmo. Cruyff for me has one of the greatest football brains around, however, this week I couldn’t understand his point. He says “one of Sevilla’s strengths is the speed they attack when they win the ball back, with this is mind horizontal passes should not be allowed” I always thought the important thing was not to give the ball away, there is nothing wrong with a horizontal pass and goes with Barça’s patient style. Was it not Cruyff who said that if you have the ball your opponent can not possibly score. The problem of course is the excess of horizontal passes but you can’t say never do it.
Cruyff also says that the midfield should not receive the ball from the defence facing their own goal. Surely this is not a horizontal pass but a forward pass. I’m really not sure what he is trying to say. I agree with him that fewer touches before passing is important as it speeds up the game, and I also agree that the positioning was not great, but this was more the case after we lost the ball (as in the case of the Sevilla goal - where was Edmilson?)
For me the whole team were to blame, poor defence, poor midfield and poor attack.
Nic // Feb 11, 2008 at 18:14
Varughese - Messi doesn’t claim to be a great player, it is the rest of the world that makes this claim. Messi is wasted in the middle, when he moved to the right he set up Xavi’s goal, then provoked Keita’s sending off. Henry might be better on the left but I’d rather ’sacrifice’ Henry in the middle than Messi.
Youssef Gazia // Feb 12, 2008 at 16:53
True nic. A perfect attck line would be :
Etoo
Henry Messi
True?
Nic // Feb 12, 2008 at 17:58
Youssef - If everyone was available on present form I’d have Messi on the right, Eto’o in the middle and on the left I’d play Iniesta for away games and Henry at Camp Nou. Might change my mind tomorrow though.
blaugranafan // Feb 13, 2008 at 4:14
I’m not so sure Henry goes on the left…I’m not overly impressed with his crossing ability. If I’m not mistaken (someone please correct me if I’m wrong), the reason Henry failed at Juventus was because he couldn’t cut it as a winger. He succeeded at Arsenal because Wenger made him into a striker.
Varughese // Feb 13, 2008 at 6:17
blaugranafan:
Henry in arsenal played like a floating striker. That is his position. We don’t play that system. So left is the best out of all the options. Why did we let Saviola go, he was a center striker, he was not a big success but was a good back up to have and he would not have complained for being a sub. I don’t know.
Leave a Comment