Match Report: Saturday 12/08/2006 01:30 (GMT+2) - Friendly Match Tour 2006 USA & Mexico
NEW YORK RED BULLS - FC BARCELONA 1-4 (1-1)

Giants Stadium, New York – capacity: 79.000


NEW YORK RED BULLS: Meola (Conway 46), Mendes, Parke (Jolley 72'), Dunivant (Stammler), Wynne, O'Rourke (Ikangu 66'), Henderson, Guevara, Djorkaeff (Magee 59'), Buddle, Kovalenko.


FC BARCELONA: Valdés (Jorquera 46'), Oleguer (Ezquerro 63'), Márquez (Thuram 46'), Olmo (Zambrotta 46'), Sylvinho (Gio 46'), Motta (Edmílson 46'), Van Bommel (Deco 46'), Iniesta (Xavi 46'), Giuly (Messi 46'), Ronaldinho (Saviola 75'), Eto'o (Gudjohnsen 46').


Goals:
0-1 Ronaldinho pen. (12')

1-1 Djorkaeff (38')
1-2 Ronaldinho (50')

1-3 Messi (60')
1-4 Saviola (86')





Match Report:


A superb performance from FC Barcelona granted Ronaldinho & Co. a deserved 4-1 against Red Bull New York in front 79,000 excited spectators. 3 superb goals in the second half by Ronaldinho, Messi and Saviola sealed the victory. Thuram, Zambrotta made their debut for Barca in the second half and also Xavi played for the first time for the Blaugrana this season. The Red Bulls had been coached for the first time by new manager Bruce Arena.


Barca took an early lead in the 12th minute when Ronaldinho converted a penalty, after Marvell Wynne brought Samuel Eto'o down. But New York Red Bulls pulled a deserved goal back just before halftime when French veteran Youri Djorkaeff simply tapped-in the rebound after Victor Valdes saved Edson Buddle's shot.


It was the second half that excited the crowd. Barca fielded 9 new players after the break including Ronaldinho, Messi, Thuram, Zambrotta and Xavi. It was again Ronaldinho who inspired the team and excited the crowd with his various tricks and passes. Ronaldinho did not have to wait long for his second goal of the evening. A great run of Barca youngster Leo Messi, who went past Red Bull defender Seth Stammler and goalkeeper Jon Conway and then past the ball through a long the goal line for Ronaldinho to slide the ball home into the wide open goal.


On 60th minute Lionel Messi got a goal for himself. Again, the Argentinian international got clear into the penalty box and dribbled passed goalkeeper Conway before he finished the brilliant effort again into an open net.


Just a few minutes from time it was Messi again, who set free his Argentina team mate Javier Saviola who put the ball past Conway.


This was a superb show from Barca and after this brilliant performance Barca fans can´t wait for the season to start. 6 major trophies will be challenged and with this squad, Barca is able to take all 6 home.

Again, Barca like usual had 65% of the ball possesion and controlled the game. The attractive attacking style produced many more goal scoring opportunities. Barca should have scored more goals in the second half and the lack of converting excellent goal scoring opportunities, could be the only issue to be critized. But should we, after an excellent 4-1 victory?


Come on, let´s bring on Espanyol on the 17th of August!