Match Report: Tuesday 21/03/2006 21:00 (GMT+1): La Liga match day 29
FC Barcelona 3 - Getafe CF 1

Camp Nou, Barcelona – attendance: 70.000


Referee: Alfonso Pérez Burrull


0-1 (Nano '4)

1-1 (Guily '22)
2-1 (Eto'o '52)

3-1 (Eto'o '69)



FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti (Iniesta '46), Puyol (Rodri '84),Oleguer,Gio – Van Bommel (Silvinho '61), Motta, Deco, - Giuly, Eto'o, Ronaldinho – Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Getafe CF (4-4-2): Luis Garcia - Pulido, Contra, Tena, Pernía (Riki ' 73) - Alberto, Diego Rivas, Vivar Dorado (Pachón '59), Mario Cotelo - Nano, Paunovic - Manager: Bernd Schuster

Barca was too good for Getafe and took a giant step towards regaining their La Liga title with a convincing 3-1 win over Getafe and moved 14 points clear at the top of the table. Eto'o scored twice and scored his 100th goal in the spanish League so far. The Barca goalgetter Samuel Eto'o is back in the race to win European´s Golden Boot Award. Barça's lead could be reduced on Wedensday as Valencia entertain Villarreal, while Real Madrid travel to Real Zaragoza on Wednesday


FC Barcelona eased to victory against a battling Getafe. Barca made another huge step forward to defend the spanish league title as they came from behind to beat Ex-Barca star Bernd Schuster's Getafe side 3-1 in Camp Nou. The victory was even more impressive as FC Barcelona had to make a number of changes due to injury. In defence Rafael Marquez had to be replaced by Oleguer as centre half, in the central, defensive midfield holding position Mark Van Bommel had to take over from Edmilson and in attack Ludovic Giuly came in for Henrik Larsson.


After a very casual start the Barca team was put in a state of shock and was punished after just four minutes as Cotelo's cross from the right saw Nano head past Víctor Valdés. Juliano Belletti´s sloppy defending left the Ex-Barca striker Nano totally unmarked.


The goal shaked up the Barca players. Ludovic Giuly almost scored after eight minutes when Deco´s pass set the Barca winger free on the right. He was unlucky not to score after his ball went under Luis Garcia but his shot come back off the post. Giuly was a constant nuisance to Mario Pernia down the right and was the biggest thread to Getafe. The french Barca winger played also a vital role in the equalizer after 22 minutes. While Getafe only tried to defend the 1-0 lead with all man in their own half, they were finally beaten by an own goal from Anibal Matellan. Giovanni Van Bronkhorst crossed from the left side and Ludovic Giuly headed the ball back from the far post but Getafe defender Matellan deflected the ball into his own goal.


Deco and Ronaldinho had other good goalscoring opportunities denied to put Barca already in front before half time. It only took seven minutes into the second half for Frank Rijkaard's team to score a memorable goal which brought the Camp Nou to their feet. The attacking Barca team produced a great combination of passes and fine moves to tear apart the solid Getafe defence. The move began just outside the Barca penalty area with Deco finding Giuly and, after a passing movement involving several Barca players in the midfield, Giuly once again received the ball on the right side and crossed for Eto'o to slot home from about 12 m in the centre of the penalty box.


The Barca fans were absolutely delighted but there was more to come. In the 69th minute the Cameroonian striker Eto'o scored his 22nd goal of the season by putting the ball past Luis Garcia after a fine pass from Ronaldinho.
Now the fans were responding with “La Ola” and already starting to celebrate the defence of the spanish Champion title. The 70,000 supportes even honoured a spectacular performance of the brazilian superstar Ronaldinho by singing “Happy Birthday” to the player, who got 26 years old on match day. The atmosphere was overwhelming and especially the brazilian members of the Barca squad started a real “Samba Fiesta” on the field. Nice moves, artistically technical skills and great passing made the fans cheer but plenty of chances had been missed. The best effort was denied by Getafe goalkeeper Luis Garcia who saved a stunning lop from Ronaldinho from the left corner of the penalty box to the disappointment of the Barca fans who wanted Ronaldinho to score on his birthday and to beat his personal goal scoring record of 14 goals per season.

Now happened what had been expected. 10 minutes before the end, Barca captain Carles Puyol provoked and collected his 5th yellow card, so he will miss the away match against Malaga but therefore will be for sure available against Real Madrid. With the two-goal lead, Barca coach Frank Rijkaard was able to experiment before next week's Champions League first leg with Benfica and brought young Rodri for Carles Puyol into the centre of defence, alongside Thiago Motta. The Barca B youngster is likely to feature in Portugal against Benfica as Rafa Márquez, Edmílson and Carles Puyol will all be unavailable for selection.


This Barca team can not be stopped anymore and it seems that the rest of the matches to be played this season will be a pure victory parade through the country to promote and present the old and new champion. Even the biggest pessimist will bet his money on Barca to defend their title now. Unfortunately the odds are low and you will not receive a lot for the money at stake. I expect the bookies to take this bet off their list.