FC Barcelona News
Barcelona battle for draw at Mestalla
September 22nd, 2011FC Barcelona drew 2-2 with Valencia at the Estadio Mestalla on Wednesday night in a frenetic and fast-paced encounter. Valencia took the lead twice, first through an Abidal own goal, and then winger Pablo Hernández, but Barcelona fought back, with Pedro and Cesc getting on the scoresheet.
Barcelona’s evening got off to a difficult start; on the ten-minute mark Valencia winger Jérémy Mathieu drove down the left flank and delivered a teasing cross that Abidal could only turn push past Valdés despite not being under any real pressure. It was an unfortunate blow, but Barça’s response was almost instant.
A fine exhibition of quick passing and movement saw the ball flicked by Cesc to Lionel Messi at the edge of the area. The Argentine forward spotted the run of Pedro Rodríguez and slipped a deft pass between two defenders to the left side of the six-yard box for his teammate to equalise.
Moments later Barcelona could have had a penalty when Adil Rami brought down Messi on the very edge of the penalty box. The French international made no contact with the ball, but somehow escaped punishment for what looked like a clear foul just inside the area.
Valencia were soon causing Barça problems again, pressuring high up the pitch. Once again Mathieu surged down the left side, beating Mascherano and producing yet another dangerous cross. This time Abidal deflected the ball away from goal but only into the path of Pablo Hernández who made no mistake with his finish.
The away side might even have been two goals behind when the move was replicated for a third time, but to Valdés’ relief Soldado somehow managed to nudge Mathieu’s ball past the near post.
Up to half time Guardiola had opted for a three-man defence, but after the break Alves took his place at right-back after starting in midfield. As a result Barcelona looked far more comfortable and faced few defensive scares as the match wore on. Still, Valencia offered plenty of intensity, perhaps best typified by industrious central midfielder Éver Banega.
Barça’s first real sight of goal in the second half came after 20 minutes, when Mascherano crashed a 30 yard shot off the angle of the post and crossbar, with Gaita completely beaten.
Messi was then released by Thiago, but couldn’t quite bring the ball under his spell. Seconds later though, diminutive dynamo produced a perfect chipped pass to find Cesc who made no mistake to take his tally for the season to four goals in four league games.
Messi nearly conjured a match-winning assist late on, when he confounded the entire Valencia defence with a reverse pass for substitute David Villa, but the striker’s shot was well saved. There was still time for a late penalty shout, once again from Messi, but in the end Barcelona had to settle for a hard-earned point at a difficult venue.
1-0, Abidal (own goal) (min 11)
1-1, Pedro (min 13)
2-1, Pablo (min 23)
2-2, Cesc (min 76)
FC Barcelona beats league leaders Valencia
October 18th, 2010FC Barcelona took advantage of the break in the league while some of Barça’s top stars were away on international duty by replacing the turf, which had been looking somewhat less than optimal over the last match or two.
Facing league leaders Valencia was never going to be a walkover, and for the first half an hour or so Barça didn’t really get going. It was a different matter for Valencia though when Pablo put the ball past Victor Valdes in the 37th minute.
It looked like the visitors might go two goals up almost immediatly after, but this time Valdes saved the day. Barça bounced back from that threat with Messi coming close to scoring twice within the area. That comeback was cut short though, when the half time whistle went.
Back on the pitch after the break, the Catalans went straight to work, with Xavi setting up a goal for Iniesta in minute 46. Barça upped the pace and looked as if they were really playing to win. David Villa – who moved from Valencia this summer – came close to scoring from a header, but it was Carles Puyol who scored the second and final goal for Barcelona.
A great result for Barça, which leaves them in second place in the league. However, Real Madrid are in the number one spot; with sixteen goals to their name and just three goals against, they are looking really strong at the moment.
0-1 Pablo (min 37)
1-1 Iniesta (min 46)
2-1 Puyol (min 62)
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|
1
|
Real Madrid |
7
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
16
|
3
|
17
|
|
2
|
Barcelona |
7
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
12
|
6
|
16
|
|
3
|
Valencia |
7
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
12
|
6
|
16
|
|
4
|
Villarreal |
6
|
5
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
4
|
15
|
|
5
|
Atlético Madrid |
7
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
12
|
7
|
13
|
|
6
|
Espanyol |
7
|
4
|
0
|
3
|
6
|
9
|
12
|
|
7
|
Sevilla |
7
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
10
|
8
|
11
|
|
8
|
Athletic Bilbao |
7
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
|
9
|
Getafe |
7
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
|
10
|
Mallorca |
7
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
5
|
7
|
8
|
|
11
|
Sporting Gijón |
7
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
8
|
11
|
8
|
|
12
|
Levante |
7
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
7
|
12
|
8
|
|
13
|
Hércules |
6
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
|
14
|
Málaga |
7
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
13
|
16
|
7
|
|
15
|
Real Sociedad |
7
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
11
|
7
|
|
16
|
Racing Santander |
7
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
4
|
8
|
7
|
|
17
|
Almería |
7
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
5
|
6
|
6
|
|
18
|
Osasuna |
7
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
|
19
|
Deportivo |
7
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
11
|
4
|
|
20
|
Zaragoza |
7
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
12
|
3
|
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