Match Report: Wednesday 27/09/2006 20:45 (GMT +2): Champions League, Group A, Match Day 2
WERDER BREMEN - FC BARCELONA 1:1 (0:0)

Weserstadion, Bremen – Attendance: 45.000
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (ITA)


Goals:

1-0 Puyol o.g. (56´)
1-1 Messi (89´)


Werder Bremen (4-1-3-2): Wiese - Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Schulz - Baumann - Frings, Borowski, Diego - Hunt (Owomoyela 91´), Klose - Manager: Thomas Schaaf


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Oleguer, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho (Zambrotta 82´) - Motta, Iniesta, Deco - Giuly (Messi 65´), Eto´o (Gudjohnson 65´), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Report:


Messi Saves Barça in last minute from defeat


Lionel Messi came off the bench and scored a late 89th minute goal to earn FC Barcelona a draw in their Champions League game against Werder Bremen in the Weserstadion. It was a very unlucky evening for Barca. First, captain Carles Puyol scored an own goal when he put an Aaron Hunt cross into his own net and minutes later Samuel Eto'o was stretchered off the pitch, with a suspected knee ligament injury that should keep him out for 3 month.


Barca coach Frank Rijkaard surprised with his starting line up. Iniesta for Xavi, Motta for Edmilson and Oleguer for Zambrotta/Belletti. But also Werder coach Thomas Schaaf made some changes to his regular squad. Schaaf fielded Mertesacker for Pasanan, Schulz for Womé and the biggest surprise was young striker Hunt for Klasnic/Zidan/Almeida.


Werder Bremen proved to be the strong team that everyone predicted. The Germans showed their typical attitudes, strength and speed, and created several good scoring opportunities right from the beginning. The host Werder started better into the game as Bremen pushed forward and caught Barca by surprise. The Germans launched several attacks, with Aaron Hunt causing problems down the left and Miroslav Klose trying to cause damage through the middle. With the time, the Barca team became more stable and got better into the match. Eto'o and Ronaldinho both had chances, but were denied by Bremen´s goalkeeper Tim Wiese in one-on-one situations. It was Samuel Eto'o again, who tested Wiese in the 22nd minute. In the 32nd minute french winger Ludevic Giuly fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area but Werders keeper Wiese was well positioned and punched the ball away. 0-0 at half time but FC Barcelona found their rhythm and started to control the game.


The second half started how the first had ended. Barça was in control now but both teams had their changes. Giuly for Barca and Klose for Bremen, both headed wide from corners, while Deco drove a long range shot over the bar. But bad luck in the 56th minute. Bremens young striker Aaron Hunt had a run on the left flank and crossed the ball sharp into the center of the penalty area. Barca captain Carles Puyol tried to clear the ball before German international midfielder Borowski, but Puyol´s put the ball past Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes into the net. But it came even worth, when six minutes later the run of bad luck climaxed. Eto'o ran with the ball at hs feet in midfield, without an opponent at sight, he passed the ball and twisted his knee. The match had to be interrupted and the Cameroon international then had been stretchered off the pitch with a suspected knee ligament injury.


Barca was forced to make some changes and brought Gudjohnsen for Eto'o and Messi for Giuly in the 65th minute. The changes brought more pressure on the German team. Young Leo Messi´s skill and pace brought confusion to the tall German defence line. Messi fired his first warning shot at Wiese in the 76th minute when he dribbled through Bremen´s defence with pace and outstanding technical skills. This could already have been the equaliser, but again, the German goalkeeper Tim Wiese was on top of the situation, when he stopped the ball with his right arm.

Then in the 89th minute Messi rescued Barca with a fine finish. First, again with a trademark dribbling, he ran along the penalty box before passing the ball to Deco who returned the ball with a great pass into the box. Messi took the ball and finished with his left foot from just inside the penalty area into the right corner of the goal.
Ronaldinho had the last chance of the game but fired his freekick from a dangerous position into the german defence wall.


The final result: A 1-1 draw, that Barca can live with.


My comment:

Werder Bremen proved to be a very strong opponent and caused problems throughout the match. Finally, Barca deserved to take a point home. The point could prove to be crucial and keeps FC Barcelona in touch with Chelsea, who are top of Group A with 6 points ahead of the two matches against the "Blues" in October.


Barca was not at their best but I have to admit that the opposition was very strong. Ronaldinho had a bad day. More or less, everything he touched went wrong. I am not worried, because everyone has got one of these days. I am quite sure, it was only a one-off and we see Ronaldinho at his best next week-end again.


I feel very sorry for Samuel Eto'o, who twisted his knee and is probably out for 3 month. He was in excellent form and I could have seen him winning the Golden Boot for Europe´s top goalscorer this season or may be even heading for more personal Awards. Unfortunately, this will be very difficult now, if the injury finally should be confirmed. I wish him good luck and a speedy recovery!


Barca was close to the first defeat in 14 Champions League matches but Messi finally played "Messia´s" and came to the rescue. The impressive European record has not fallen yet and it was just about right. Barca recovered from a slow start but had enough chances to score. The share of the point is fair.


We can live with the crucial point gained and are now looking forward to both matches against Chelsea next month.