Match Report: Monday 28/08/2006 21:00 (GMT +2): La Liga, Match Day 1
CELTA VIGO - FC BARCELONA 2-3 (1-0)

Balaidos, Vigo – Attendance: 32.000
Referee: Miguel Angel Pérez Lasa


Celta Vigo(4-4-2): Pinto, Lucas, Lequi, Contreras, Angel - Nene, Canobbio (Jorge 70´), Iriney, Oubiña - Baiano (Perera 70´), G. Lopez (Aspas 84´) - Manager: Fernando Vázquez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Márquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst - Iniesta, Motta (Edmilson 58´), Deco - Giuly (Gudjohnsen 74´), Eto'o, Messi - Manager Rijkaard


Goals:

1-0 Baiano 43´
1-1 Eto´o 56´

1-2 Messi 60´
2-2 G. Lopez 64´

3-2 Gudjonsen 87´


Match report:


Difficult start - Superb winner by Gudjohnsen - 3 important points


As predicted in our preview, this was a difficult start for Champions FC Barcelona into the season, but a successful one!
The Barca team bounced back after the 0-3 defeat by FC Sevilla on Friday and showed a mentally strong performance, with a strong fight back after being 0-1 down and scoring the winner with a superb goal by new signing Gudjohnsen just 3 minutes from time. The team is travelling back home with 3 very important points in their luggage to put pressure on rival Real Madrid right from match day 1, who were not able to win their opener against Villareal (0-0) at Bernabeu, from match day 1 in La Liga.


Barca coach Frank Rijkaard's surprisingly left out Spanish international Xavi from the starting line-up and fielded Andrés Iniesta instead. French winger Ludovic Giuly stepped in for the injured Brazilian star Ronaldinho on the right, while youngster Leo Messi switched to the left and former Juventus wing back Zambrotta replaced Belletti.


During the first have, the match was a real midfield battle and Barca dominated possession but was not able to put the forwards into dangerous positions and could not produce any clear cut chances.


The highlights of the first half are summarized quickly:


In the 8th minute, Barca defender Rafael Marquez curled an eighth-minute free-kick just wide near the right post.


5 minutes later Samuel Eto'o ran after a long Deco pass, but lifted the ball from a narrow, left angle far over the crossbar.


In 28th minute Brazilian defender Lucas shot wide


Two minutes later, Gustavo Lopez missed the Barca goal and teammate Fernando Baiano at the far post.


Deco had the best chance of the first half in the 32nd minute. A superb combination with Messi and an excellent dribbling left him the space to fire a fierce shot from just outside of the penalty box. Celta´s goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto just managed to deflect the ball over the bar.


Celta then took a surprising lead in the 43rd minute through Fernando Baiano. Brazilian midfielder Nené, recently signed from Alavés, shot from a narrow angle and Victor Valdés was unable to hold onto the ball, which fell straight into the path of Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano to finish from about 5 meters.


Not sure what Frank Rijkaard told the team at half time but Barca came out like a different team after the break. Suddenly it seemed that they found their way to cut through a tight Celta midfield and creating danger in front of the goal.

Barca turned the match into their favour in a period of just 5 minutes.
Barcelona deserved the equalizer in the 56th minute after Eto'o played a one-two with Leo Messi and sidefooted low past Celta´s keeper Pinto.


Then just minutes later, a superb Messi effort put Barca in the lead. Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta dribbled through the Celta defence and passed the ball to Messi. The Argentina international covered the ball with his body, dropped his shoulder and let the ball go past him with the back to the goal. Then he stunned his defender by turning quickly to fire home low with his left foot.


The second half performance so far with being 2-1 in the lead, suggested that this was enough to secure the away win. Celta had done nothing so far to believe they could score another goal. But just a few minutes after Barca´s lead, Gustavo Lopez equalized for Celta again. Barca captain Carles Puyol and Baiano clashed in the air in a challenge for an Angel free kick from the outside of the penalty box and somehow the ball landed at the feet of Gustavo Lopez who finished with his left foot just about 5 meters from the goal line.


With 15 minutes to go and time running out, Barca coach Rijkaard brought Gudjohnsen for Giuly. Barça pushed forward to score the deserved winner. Just being a few minutes on the pitch, Barca new signing Gudjohnsen displayed his outstanding ability to get into goalscoring positions but two excellent chances had been missed by the former Chelsea striker.

However, with the full time whistle approaching and after Celta´s Iriney had been dismissed for a second bookable offence by bringing down Deco, it was the "Iceman" who took centre stage with a superb winner for Barca. In the 87th minute, Barca forward Gudjohnsen chested down a pass from Deco, lifted the ball over his defender with the foot, just to slam the ball into the net.


Comment:
Difficult, but the hard work payed off at the end. A perfect start on the way to defend the Spanish Primera Liga title.

We saw two sides of the Barca team. In the first half, we were reminded a little bit of the Sevilla match. Ball possession but no creativity to open up the defensive line of the opponent with the result of going behind in a psychological bad moment (just before halftime). The second half, we saw a different team, fighting for every inch on the pitch and creating surprises, individual fine displays and goal scoring opportunities. Messi´s and Gudjohnsen´s goal reminded me of two historic heroes and best goal scorers in the world. Messi´s effort, how he covered the ball, body movement, explosive turn and leathal finish reminded me of German legend "Gerd Müller", the best finisher in the world in the 70´s. For me, Gudjohnsen´s strike, was a Romario type goal that guarantees him instant hero status! I just hope, we see more of this during the season.


I am very satisfied with the situation that Real Madrid already is behind and has to chase Barca again. The Merengues are under pressure and Barca has got it in their own hands to keep it like this. Perfect start!