Match Report: Saturday 28/10/2006 20:00 (GMT +2): La Liga, Match Day 8
FC BARCELONA - RECREATIVO HUELVA 3:0 (1:0)

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 75.000
Referee: Bernardino González Vázquez


Goals:

1-0: Ronaldinho (30, pen.)
2-0: Ronaldinho (56')

3-0: Xavi (60')


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Belletti, Márquez, Puyol, Sylvinho - Edmilson, Xavi, Deco (Iniesta 68´) - Giuly, Gudjohnsen (Saviola 62´), Ronaldinho (Ezquerro 81´) - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Recreativo Huelva (4-4-2): Laquait - Edu Moya, Mario, Bouzon, Dani Bautista - Santi Cazorla, Jesus Vazquez, Viqueira (Barber 63´), Aitor - Rosu (Javi Guerrero 62´), Calle (Sinama Pongolle 68´) - Manager Marcelinho


Match Preview:
The record still stands: Recreativo can not win or even score a goal at Camp Nou! 3 goals, 3 points for Barca - none for Recreativo!


Last night, FC Barcelona took control of La Primera Liga with a 3-0 victory at Camp Nou over Recreativo Huelva as Valencia slipped up at Racing Santander. Two goals from Ronaldinho (30´pen, 56´) and one from Xavi Hernandez (60´) put FC Barcelona as sole leader on 19 points at the top of the La Primera Liga table. Ronaldinho converted a penalty in the 30th minute and unsussually headed home in the 57th. Xavi sealed the victory also with a header just 3 minutes later and produced a comfortable win for Barca ahead of the Chelsea clash in midweek.


FC Barcelona had to work very hard against a very strong and solid looking Recreativo side. But Barca took the lead after half an hour when the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Ronaldinho fired into the left top corner. Former Barca defender Mario held Gudjohnsen back when the Icelandic centre forward tried to finish within the centre of the penalty area.


Then just a few minutes later, Ronaldinho passed a freekick short to team mate Rafael Marquez who fired a fierce shot at the Recreativo goal and the ball from a free kick and the ball bounced off the pitch but Huelva goalkeeper Bertrand Laquait got behind the ball before French winger Ludovic Giuly put the rebound over the crossbar.


Then former Chelsea player Gudjohnsen missed a great opportunity. Recreativo goalkeeper Laquait had to rush from his line to close down on Gudjohnsen, who lifted Xavi's excellent pass just wide of the post.


On 57 minutes, Ronaldinho scored his second goal and made it 2-0. A superb Syvinho cross found ronaldinho who headed the ball into the net.


The 3-0 came just three minutes later when Xavi the ball into the Huelva goal after a Belletti's cross from the right.


Ronaldinho was denied a hat-trick when Laquait turned away his free kick and the Recreativo keeper produced a smart stop from Giuly in injury time.


My Prediction:

Recreativo´s losing streak at Camp Nou and they have still not been able to score one single goal in Barcelona. FC Barcelona picked up a very convincing 3-0 win over Recreativo Huelva and put them solely at the top of La Liga ahead of the important Chelsea game next week.


The penalty was a bit controversial but FC Barcelona clearly deserved the win. Barca even had the luxury to save some energy for the Chelsea match, having sealed the game just after 60 minutes.


Barca is back on track and Ronaldinho again has shown his critics that he is the best player in the world. The Brazilian superstar showed that he is back at top form just in time.


Sole leader at the top, a fantastic hard worked team effort and Ronaldinho in form. I am looking forward to the revenge against Chelsea!


Visca el Barca!