Match Report: Saturday 09/12/2006 20:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 14
FC BARCELONA - REAL SOCIEDAD 1:0 (0:0)

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Attendance: 70.000
Referee: Javier Turienzo Álvarez


Goals:

1-0 Ronaldinho (61´)


Sending Off:
Sylvinho (85´), two yellow cards


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Belletti, Thuram, Puyol (Oleguer 26´), Sylvinho (red card 85´) - Edmilson, Xavi, Deco (Iniesta 65´) - Giuly, Gudjohnsen (Ezquerro 77´), Ronaldinho (Ezquerro) - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Bravo - Gerardo, Mikel Gonzalez, Juanito, Lopez Rekarte - Rivas (Garitano 65´), Aranburu - Xavi Prieto, Jesuli (Aguirretxe 77´), Uranga (Garrido 73´) - Kovacevic - Manager: Miguel Angel Lotina


Match Report: 3 points for Barca against Real Sociedad and the referee!


Ronaldinho's 11th league goal of the season gifted FC Barcelona the victory over struggling Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp on Saturday and cemented the top of the table of La Liga after FC Sevilla beat Real Madrid 2-1.


Ronaldinho was again the inspiration for Barca but the biggest protagonist of the evening was the referee and his linesman. Several very doubtful offside decisions, including two goals disallowed and two ridiculous yellow cards that resulted in Sylvinho´s send off made the home crowd furious. The atmosphere heated up that even the 70,000 supporters applauded and yelled when french right winger Ludevic Giuly accidently injured the linesman, who was responsible for the strange decisions in the first half.


Ronaldinho had a superb first half effort when he went close with a world class overhead kick, that just went wide at the far post.


The 70,000 supporters at Camp Nou had to wait until the 61st minute, after "El Magico" himself converted a Giuly pass from the right when he netted the ball with his left foot. this time, there was no chance for the referee or one of the assistance to interfere and disallow the goal!


Barca had to finish the game with only ten-men when Silvinho picked-up two ridiculous yellow cards within a very short time and was surprisingly send off in the 85th minute. May be the ref could not stop Barca from scoring the 1-0 lead but for sure, he was able to make Barca supporters sweat in the last remaining minutes of the match.


With 5 minutes of additional injury time to play, a superb late save from Barca goalkeeper Víctor Valdés on 95 minutes ensured that FC Barcelona can travel to Japan as confident La Liga leaders.


My Comment:

After the fantastic Champions League victory over Werder Bremen midweek, the team was back in La Liga and of course, big favourites against lowly Real Sociedad. Coach Frank Rijkaard changed the squad on 5 positions (Belletti, Thuram, Sylvinho, Xavi, Edmilson for Zambrotta, Marquez, Gio, Iniesta and Motta) and had to bring on Oleguer just after 25 minutes for Barca captain Puyol due to injury.
Ronaldinho was the difference on the field and showed his magical class with a fantastic overhead kick and several other efforts and assists.

But the "Gaucho" was overshadowed by the "Man in Black" and his assistants. Ridiculous decisions that lead to 2 disallowed goals (Gudjohnsen and Xavi) and a sending off for Sylvinho.
At the end, Barca was lucky to have Victor Valdes who stayed focus until the 95th minute and his superb save literally in the last minute rescued all 3 important points.

For sure, that was one of the worse performances but the team did the job. Especially with the Merengues losing to Sevilla. This makes barca´s voictory even sweeter.


Now, off to Japan! Bring it on and the only Cup that Barca never won to Camp Nou!


Viscal el Barca!