A nail-biting 1-2 victory for Barça in La Romareda has reduced the gap with Real Madrid to only five points, after Madrid lost earlier to Betis. A late penalty from Ronaldinho gave Barça an undeserved but vital victory in a game dominated by the referee’s controversial decisions. Thierry Henry’s opening goal looked to be after the Frenchman had used his arm to control the ball. Zaragoza were awarded a doubtful penalty that Diego Milito missed, and then Barça’s penalty near the end was also very questionable.
Frank Rijkaard once again decided to rest players in the league with an eye on Wednesday’s Champions league game with Celtic. There was no place for Andres Iniesta or Toure Yaya, and Giovani dos Santos was preferred to both Bojan and Ronaldinho in the starting lineup. Giovani started on the left with Messi back on the right and Henry through the middle.
However, it was Zaragoza who started better creating the first decent chances of the game, in the fifth minute Diego Milito cut inside Marquez before shooting straight at Valdés, and then a minute later a cross from Oliveira found Sergio Garcia at the far post but the ex-blaugrana shot over. Barça were typically having more of the possession but without anything more than a couple of corners. In the 24th minute Oliveira again caused problems but shot wide of the far post.
Barça finally created a good chance in the 26th minute when Messi sent Giovani running into the area but Cesar came out and managed to raise his arm enough to deflect Giovani’s shot away. Zaragoza then nearly took the lead after a cross from the left was knocked back by Sergio Garcia to Diego Milito but his shot from 8 yards was awkward and went wide. A minute later Barça took the lead. Puyol played the ball inside to Deco who took a couple of strides forward before delivering a neat cross into Henry who had got behind his marker, Henry used his arm and chest to control the ball and as it came down he sidefooted it passed Cesar. Zaragoza had a golden opportunity to equalize when the ref gave a penalty for Marquez’s challenge on Oliveira, but the replay suggested that Oliveira had dived before any contact was made. Fortunately for Barça, Diego Milito hit the penalty straight and hard over the crossbar.
Zaragoza came out aggressively in the second half and for a while had Barça on the back foot. In the 52nd minute Oliveira headed on to Milito who had a great chance one-on-one with Valdés, but Barça’s keeper managed to save brilliantly from close range. However, a minute later Sergio Garcia sent Oliveira through in the inside right position and Marquez wasn’t quick enough to prevent Oliveira from shooting low across Valdés for the equalizer.
After the equalizer Zaragoza continued to press for another. Toure came on in place of Edmilson to try and tighten things up. La Romareda hadn’t forgotten Toure’s challenge on Matuzalem four months earlier and booed the Ivorian every time he touched the ball. Zaragoza came closest to a winner on 66 minutes when Valdés failed to clear a free kick from the left and the ball bounced invitingly towards Sergio Fernandez but Gabi Milito was quick to get a saving foot in.
Rijkaard brought on Ronaldinho in place of Giovani and within a few minutes Ronnie sent a fine ball through to Henry whose shot went just over. With just over ten minutes to go Bojan came on for a disappointing Messi. A couple of minutes later Barça got the bit of luck they so desperately needed. A cross from the left seemed to present no danger as Juanfran went to control, but after he appeared to chest the ball down the linesman flagged for handball and the ref signalled a penalty. The replay was difficult to appreciate whether it was shoulder or arm that played the ball.
Ronaldinho stepped up to take the kick and a few may have been thinking about the one he missed at Sevilla last season that in the end cost Barça the league. This time, however, Ronnie sent the keeper the wrong way to keep Barça’s league chances alive. In the 87th minute Ronaldinho had the chance to sew up the three points when he controlled Puyol’s cross before shooting wide. It meant there were stil a couple of nervy injury time moments to endure before the ref blew his whistle.
This was not a great performance from Barça but the three points are vital after Madrid’s defeat. Rijkaard will again be questioned for his decision to rest players but this time the gamble paid off. Surely it would be better to use next weekend’s game at home to Levante as a game to rest players, after all Barça didn’t play in midweek. It was good to see the experiment of playing Messi in the middle was dropped, but having said that Messi is not in his best moment and hasn’t scored since November. The best performances again came from Valdés and Milito, and Puyol was excellent considering he has just come back from injury in record time. All in all we should be happy that today the gods smiled on us. So we didn’t play well again: how often have Madrid won this season without playing well or deserving it? Perhaps the luck has finally changed and we can still go on to a memorable, trophy-winning season.
Barça: Valdés 7.5; Puyol 7, Marquez 5.5, Milito 7.5, Abidal 5.5; Xavi 5.5, Edmilson 5.5 (Toure m57, 6), Deco 5.5; Messi 5.5 (Bojan m79, 6), Henry 5.5, Giovani 6 (Ronaldinho m73, 6).
Goals: Henry m34 0-1; Oliveira m53 1-1; Ronaldinho (pen) m83 1-2.
Barça Yellows: Giovani m35, Marquez m64.
Zaragoza’s goal
See Ronnie’s penalty here
Click here for extended highlights.
14 responses so far ↓
mcv // Feb 17, 2008 at 0:35
This was a cruical win and it was sealed by none other than Ronaldinho! I’m really him happy for him, too bad he didn’t hit that sitter though. This is bound to raise the confidence that he needs at least that slightest bit and maybe we’re witnessing a turn in the season. Real have started slipping away, it’s our time to step up to the plate and produce the goods.
Visca Barca or die!
Siim // Feb 17, 2008 at 0:51
To begin with I honestly hate Zaragoza for their racist fans. This is not acceptable when every time Toure or Abidal touched the ball there was loud whistleing among the crowd.
Not a good game, especially for Marquez who gave away penalty, was involved in a situation when the goal was conceded and got a yellow card. To continue on the negative side there was nothing on the pitch to suggest Messi was the second best player in the world. When he got the ball he was instantly covered by two or three Zaragoza men and therefor didn’t create much danger.
On the other hand I think Valdes and Milito had a very good game. Those two saved us many times. Deco had a good assist and I’m not sure Henry touched the ball with his hand there, seemed legal to me. Unfortunately Deco wasn’t shining apart from that one piece.
But I’m glad we won and 5 points difference seemes much more realistic to catch up now. Nice penalty there, Ronaldinho.
Nic // Feb 17, 2008 at 1:27
Well done Frede, Rafael and me for predicting the correct score.
http://fcbnews.com/zaragoza-barca-preview-puyol-returns/
Tristan // Feb 17, 2008 at 10:44
Very difficult win. Hope that Eto’o can return to pitch as soon as possible.
Jay // Feb 17, 2008 at 11:37
Not a promising win. Not something that would make us proud. But a win, nonetheless.
Ronaldinho should’ve scored two. That was an impossible miss.
Regarding Messi, I doubt it’s completely his fault. Whenever he gets the ball, two or three opposition players move in to mark him. But there’s no Barca player coming in to support the guy. Maybe, they all believe Messi will just somehow get through the three players.
Marquez is a liability. He defends well occasionally. But is still prone to concede penalties and give the ball away in dangerous situations.
Henry’s goal was excellent. He is now our joint top-scorer for the season with Messi.
Eto’o is needed now, more than ever.
Tristan // Feb 17, 2008 at 12:21
Btw, I feel puzzled that the people in the stadium made big noise everytime Yaya touched the ball.
Joe // Feb 17, 2008 at 12:56
Supposedly, Yaya caused an injury to a Zaragoza player last year. It was mentioned in the broadcast I was watching, but I don’t know the details… I couldn’t tell if they were whistling for Abidal, though.
pep // Feb 17, 2008 at 13:52
Difficult game (but could we expect anything else in Zaragoza?), we have to admit we didn’t have the referees against us (two doubtful decisions, although both can be discussed and aren’t really clear). Hopefully this can give us a boost of confidence, cause I still didn’t like the team. What’s wrong, so much talent but it doesn’t come out…
Three out of nine, zero out of six away: Madrid shows they are really vulnerable, certainly at the back. Casillas doesn’t save them anymore and the other teams know how to play them now. Unless they play in a childish way like Valladolid did last week, every team can hurt this Madrid.
Next three games: Levante (home), Atletico (away) and Villareal (home). If we’re still at 5 points (or less of course) after those, we should really go for the title.
blaugranafan // Feb 17, 2008 at 15:28
Tristan–It’s probably a combination of what Siim and Joe said above. To put Siim’s comment into context, it’s worth remembering that it was at Zaragoza that Eto’o almost walked off the field due to race-baiting by the fans:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4760916.stm
Sadly, a section of Zaragoza’s fan base are xenophobic and aggressively vocal about their feelings.
A win is a win is a win at this point. Thnx for the same-day video links, Nic!
Merv // Feb 18, 2008 at 4:12
I thought Barca really did well the first half hour in terms of pace. It seemed like the midfield was moving the ball forward more quickly and even Henry seemed more movtivated to track back after the ball. It was in high gear. After a few minutes I was sitting forward on the edge of my seat because the game looked to be one of those where you hold your breath without realizing it. lol
Ray Hudson was commentating the game on GOL TV and when Henry scored the first goal he called it magic. Then on the replay the thought perhaps it was a handball. Then after the 4th replay he apologized and said it was off his chest and was definitely NOT a handball. During the half time highlights he went back to thinking it may have been handball. *chuckles* I’ve watched it several times and really couldn’t tell myself. I just have to chalk it up to “I’m just glad he scored and it wasn’t disallowed” and be happy with that.
Funny enough, I haven’t come across any of the online articles saying anything about Henry’s goal. It’s been all about the dubious penalty awarded to Barcalona in the second half. I watched and rewatched that particular highlight and again, have to leave it up to the officials because it didn’t look like a handball to me. However, I’m thankful that Ronnie took full advantage of it and stuck it in the back of the net.
I hope this gives Ronnie a boost because I, for one, am happy to see him in the game. I only wish that Leo could have had a better game. The commentators mentioned that the “sparkle” has been missing since Leo was injured. Could he still have a lingering problem? Perhaps if he nets another brilliant goal it will give him the spring in his step that seems to be missing.
Overall I think Barca were in better form the first half and slowed the momentum in the 2nd. I’m just glad I finished watching the game without going into cardiac arrest.
FCB - Canada // Feb 18, 2008 at 4:40
Ya gotta love Ray Hudson. Good commentator with passion for the sport.
No doubt Barca was struggling and are in some ways fortunate to come with a win. You know at the start of the season I did not like Marquez that much then he proved me wrong as the season got on. But lately I’ve come to believe again why I didn’t like him that much. I find him taking too many cheap fouls. Fouls in dangerous areas. He’s slower on opposition breakaways and can hardly catch up at times. I will give him this though, he does on occasion make some good long distance passes. Deco made a good pass on the first goal but those 3-4 shots he made were just bad especially the one Messi gave him. Not even on goal. Ronnie should have had 2. Too bad he didn’t get it.
Teams are getting smarter with Messi. Can’t really fault a guy that gets double and even triple teamed on. Ronnie knows that all to well lol.
Merv // Feb 18, 2008 at 5:22
I do love Ray Hudson. He is like the 12th man for me. He really does love the sport and adds such energy to the game. I recall one comment he made when Bojan had the ball in a previous game, he told his fellow commentator he was physically aroused by Bojan’s skills. His friend replied “And that’s why I’m sitting way over here”. lol
I agree, it was touch and go there for a while for Barca. It just felt like Zaragoza’s goal was imminent. I have to think that it was just destined to be Barca’s win when Diego missed the penalty.
I’m still putting my faith in Marquez. He has made some outstanding tackles in the danger zone. I’m hoping that the fouls are just a fluke. Trying to be positive here.
Agree with you about Deco. He really hasn’t been outstanding since his return from injury. And the transfer rumors don’t help. Coincidental I’m sure. But his pass to Henry was terrific. I wish he could have scored a goal instead of putting it in the side of the net. I just want all of the players to succeed it seems.
Also agree with you about Messi. He was triple teamed several times. I’ve seen that with Henry and Ronnie too. Just shows that defenders find them such a threat. It would be nice if they could get the ball to an open player when that happens.
I’m looking forward to Eto’os return. He was in fine scoring form before leaving for the ANC. I’m curious to see the lineup when everyone is fit!
pep // Feb 18, 2008 at 9:40
Messi’s problem (apart from coming back from injury) is the same problem Ronaldinho faced last season: he always has 2-3 men defending especially on him. For Messi that is a problem, but it shouldn’t be a problem for the team: the guys who are watching Messi cannot watch other players so they get more space. Although the other players (especially the midfielders) doesn’t seem to take much advantage of that. When the others will step up, the rivals will have to adapt again and Messi will again get more freedom.
Rafael // Feb 19, 2008 at 1:49
I think thats what the public (not all those intense futbal followers) seem to think..
With 2-3 people guarding R10 and Messi its hard to do what they do best.. sometimes it escapes from the public eye.
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