25/01/2006 Copa del Rey, 1st Leg
Real Zaragoza - FC Barcelona 4:2 (3:1)

La Romareda, Zaragoza – 35,000 attendance



1:0 D. Milito ´22

2:0 Ewerthon ´24
3:0 Ewerthon ´26

3:1 Larsson ´36
3:2 Ronaldinho (pen.) ´61

4:2 D. Milito (pen.) ´90


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Joquera – Belletti (Gabri ´57), Marquez, Oleguer, Gio – Van Bommel (Ezquerro ´57), Edmilson, Iniesta, - Messi, Larsson (Maxi ´75), Ronaldinho.


Real Zaragoza put an end to Barcelona's imperious 18-match winning run when they stunned the Spanish champions 4-2 in the Copa del Rey quarter final first leg.
The first 20 minutes showed entertaining attacking football from both sides (chances 3:3, Messi, Larsson, Van Bommel for Barça). Just as Barça were taking control of the game, Real Zaragoza scored an unbelievable 3 goals in just 5 minutes. But 2 goals were clearly offside! I am not sure what the Ref, Señor Luis Medina Canatalejo, and his assistant were up to, but I know they weren't watching the match. These fatal errors put Barca 0-3 behind just after 26 minutes.

But the "Azul"grana” fought back. A beautiful Gio cross from the left side of the box and a typical Henrik Larsson header made it 1-3, 10 minutes before half-time.
In the second have Barça put Zaragoza under tremendous pressure, but Zaragoza defended well. In the 61st minute the Referee pointed at the penalty spot. Ronaldinho converted easily and shortened Zaragossa´s lead to 2-3. Barca was back in the match and pushed forward but had been denied the equaliser despite several attempts just in front of goal. In injury time Rafael Marquez was somewhat harshly called for handball in injury time and Diego Milito fired in the spot-kick to make it 4-2.

An entertaining but disappointing game for Barça which makes the return match in Nou Camp all the more interesting. I am convinced we'll see a different Barca-Team next week and hope for another magic Ronaldinho-Show that will carry us through to the next round.
But with the important Champions-League match against Chelsea coming up soon and as leader of La Liga, who cares about the Copa del Rey? I am not too bothered, are You? The only good reason I can think of to wining the Copa del Rey is: If Barca wins it, the "Gypsies" can not! Another year without a trophy for the “Peseteros” (Players that are only interested in money!), it would make my day/week/season.

Força Barca!