Barca: First defeat of the year

Barça falls victim in the Vicente Calderon in a game in which they had gone ahead with an incredible goal from Ronaldinho. An unfortunate move by Puyol, resulted in the draw and a change of rhythm for the home side bringing them back into the game.

There were two very different games played tonight in the Vicente Calderon. The first was played during the first half hour, when Barça went ahead with an incredible overhead kick by Ronaldinho and where Barça were by far superior, especially in midfield.

The second game began with Aguirre’s goal to draw even, where they made the most of an unfortunate move by Puyol, which ended in a goal. From then on the home team made the most of their fast counterattacks led by a decisive Agüero. So much so, that in the 71st minute, the score was already 4-1. Barça, despite the adverse circumstances, never dropped their heads and always had faith in turning the game around – even more achievable after Eto’o’s goal (73rd min.) right to the last minute. In the end, however, a defeat, which leaves Barça five points behind Madrid, who beat Huelva.

Incredible goal by Ronaldinho

Dominating the game from the kick-off, the blue and reds managed to close down the “mattress makers” in their own half for the first half hour. A disallowed goal by Eto’o (10th min.) and a wild long shot by Edmilson (22nd min.) were the warning shots from Barça, who didn’t forgive with the third: Xavi centres from the right wing and Ronaldinho, in the penalty box, rockets it home with a perfect overhead kick, one for the video collection.

They pull it back in six minutes

Athletico seemed broken by the away goal and the clear superiority of Barcelona, but found themselves with a lucky goal from ‘Kun’ Agüero (36th min.), a shot which deflected unwillingly off Puyol. The misfortune caught up with the blue and reds who, without time to react, saw how Maxi scored the 2-1 with a crossing shot after a triangulation on the right wing. Even though superior in possession, Rijkaard’s men made it to half time losing by the minimum.

Number three by Forlán

From the beginning of the second half the dynamics continued from the end of the first half. Athletico was the one breaking through more dangerously and Barça’s game was quickly breaking down. It was then that Agüero, a real nightmare for the red and blue defence forces a penalty, which Forlan puts away (61st min.)

Another goal each

The Argentine Agüero, though would still have time to show his worth with another goalafter leaving behind three Barcelona players. Twenty minutes to go and the score 4-1, it seemed impossible to win back the game. Only two minutes later, though, a goal by Eto’o cut back the defecit. It seemed the goals would never cease in a game which went crazy after the first half hoiur

Fight to the end

The fact is that, even with another great chance for Eto’o (91st min.) and the insistence of the red and blues, who never let their heads go down , no more goals came in the last quarter hour and Barça lost 4-2. This result combined with the Madrid victory in Huelva (2-3), leaves Rijkaard’s boys five points adrift of the leader.

--> now heading to FC.Barcelona vs Celtic Glasgow on March the 4th 2008