Match Report: Sunday 12/02/2006 21:00 La Liga, match day 23
Valencia CF – FC Barcelona

Mestalla, Valencia – attendance: 52,000


1-0 Villa ´43


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Váldes – Oleguer (Belletti ´57), Marquez, Puyol, Gio – Van Bommel (Sylvinho ´71), Edmilson, Iniesta – Giuly (Larsson ´42), Eto´o, Ezquerro – Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Second-placed Valencia CF sparked new life into the La Liga title race by defeating FC Barcelona 1-0 in Mestalla on Sunday night after an error by Víctor Valdés allowed Davíd Villa to score the winning goal. Valencia´s top goalscorer David Villa (now 15 goals this season) struck just before half time to give "Los Che" a vital win. Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga has been cut to six points now after the second defeat in a row. Barça were under pressure for most of the first half with Pablo Aimar and Mario Regueiro creating the best chances for the home side but it was a Victor Valdes' mistake that gave Valencia the opportunity to score the only goal of the match.


The poor pass of FC Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes to captain Carles Puyol was intercepted by Villa and the Valencia striker instinctively made the most of Valdes being off his line: and neatly lopped the ball over his head and into the back of the net. In the second half Barça was pressing and dominating the games (65% of ball possession). But all the battling effort were fruitless. Barça missed some good quality chances to equalize.
Substitute Henrik Larsson had a close-range shot stopped by Valencia´s goalkeeper Canizares just after half-time. Barça midfielder Edmilson also missed the target with a header after a free kick later in the half. At the end the battling effort was not enough.


My opinion: Despite the long injury list Barça showed enormous fighting spirit and were unfortunate to be punished big time by one individual mistake. Barça deserved more.

Forget about the result, Barça´s team spirit and fighting efforts show that we are not a team in crisis. Thanks to the Referees and Commitees in Madrid, we are desperately waiting for a rested Ronaldinho back in the team. The Barça star player will not be happy and will be hot to punish the next opponents with some stunning and entertaining performances. Watch out, Chelsea! Watch out Real Madrid! We'll be back on top when it counts.

Visca el Barça!