Match Report: Thursday 21/12/2006 22:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 16
FC BARCELONA - ATLETICO MADRID 1:1 (1:0)

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Attendance: 55.000


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Belletti, Thuram (Giuly 60´), Puyol, Oleguer - Motta, Xavi, Deco - Iniesta, Gudjohnsen (Ezquerro 67´), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Leo Franco - Seitaridis, Zé Castro, Pablo , Antonio Lopez - Luccin, Galletti (Pernia 85´), Maniche, Jurado (Mista 45´), - Agüero, Torres - Manager: Javier Aguirre


Goals:
1-0 Ronaldinho (41´)

1-1 Agüero (60´)


Match Report: Barca has to settle for unlucky draw


Despite being the better team and creating more chances, a tough battling Barca had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid last night. 75% of ball posession in the first half and over 60% in the second is enough proof for the dominance on the pitch but FC Barcelona was not able to take advantage of this situation. Atletico Madrid was defending very well and looked for the leathal counter attack. After Brazilian magician Ronaldinho had put Barca into the lead with another of his spectacular free kicks, Madrid stung through Argentine youngster Agüero on one of their very few efforts towards the Barca goal. At the end, Barca had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw, which leaves them in second place, 3 points behind leaders Sevilla, but with one match in hand (against lowly Betis) and the better goal difference. Atletico is 4th now, still 6 points behind Barca.


Barca coach Frank Rijkaard made quite a few changes, starting with Belletti, Puyol, Thuram and Oleguer in defence and Iniesta on the right wing, replacing Ludovic Giuly.


FC Barcelona started very well into the game and could have been in front after only 2 minutes when "Iceman" Eidur Gudjohnsen created a chance for Deco, who shot had a great wide range effort but unfortunately aimed straight at Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco from the edge of the area.


Just minutes later, Xavi, who had an excellent match, volleyed the ball just wide. Barca really dominated the first half and tried everything to get into the lead.


Barca keeper Victor Valdes was jobless for the entire first 25 minutes, but was called into action then. A superbly taken free kick from Atletico defender Antonio Lopez was saved by the Barca keeper.


In the 39th minute, it was Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco again, who had to show his class when Ronaldinho crossed the ball into the middle of the penalty box to Xavi who headed from close range.


Then it was Ronaldinho show time, just 4 minutes before the break. Ronaldinho did it again! "El Magico" this time curled the ball past the Atletico wall but on the goal keepers side into the goal. A fantastic goal again, the 12th in the 13th match this season.


Barca should have doubled the lead in the 45th minute, after a fantastic team effort and probably the most spectacular scene. Ronaldinho turned a long pass from midfield into a chested cross over 12 meters into the center of the penalty area for Gudjohnsen. But Gudjohnsen unfortunately missed the ball with his weaker left foot when he was flying in to side-bycicle kick the ball home.


The second half started like the first half finished. Barca was pressing for the second goal but the inability to score the important second goal that would have settled the match proved very costly in the 60th minute, when Barca captain Carles Puyol tried to put young Atletico forward Agüero offside. But Agüero finally reached midfielder Luccin's pass but the flag of the linesman stayed down, when he penetrated the penalty area. Before Barca defender Lilian Thuram could get close, Agüero finished the effort and flicked the ball past Valdes.


After the shock equalizer, Barca respondeded well. First with a long range effort from Gudjohnsen that went wide and then with a clear chance when Thiago Motta headed a Deco corner over the crossbar from close range and totally unmarked. This should have been Barca´s lead again!


Substitute Santiago Ezquerro almost added his name to the scoresheet immidiately after he came in for Gudjohnsen, with a powerful left-footed shot which went just past the right post.


Barca still tried hard for the winner but obviously got more and more tired towards the end. A few half chances, like "Dinho´s" acrobatic overhead kick six minutes from time and some Ezquerro efforts.


At the end Barca had to settle for the draw but can keep their heads up for all the efforts they put into the game.


My Comment:
I am personally disappointed with the result but not with the effort that Barca put into this game. The team tried hard and everything to win the game. Also Barca coach Frank Rijkaard did not want to accept to share points, proved when he introduced Giuly for Thuram, when the French defender had to come off due to injury.

I feared worse after the tiring and finally disappointing trip to Japan, but the team has shown morale and did not fall behind too much, in a difficult period. I would have liked to see the team going as leaders into the 2 week break but Barca still has got it in their own hands to retain the top of the table, if they should beat lowly Betis in their match at hand due to the better goal difference.


The only downside are the two yellow cards, picked up by Deco and Ronaldinho complaining to the referee. Both received their 5th yellow card and will miss the difficult trip to Bernd Schuster´s Getafe. Two very important and outstanding creative player´s less! A big blow for the next match.


Anyway, let´s look positive into the future. Barca can climb up to the top, if they win their match against Betis, reached the Champions League play-offs and soon important player´s will return to the squad who are very hungry to play. It could be much worse and to me it looks promissing!


Visca el Barca!