Match Preview: Wednesday 31/01/2007 22:00 (GMT +1): Copa Del Rey, Quarterfinals, first leg
FC BARCELONA - REAL ZARAGOZA 0:1 (0:0)

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Attendance: 35.000
Referee: Julian Rodríguez Santiago


Goals:

0-1 Diogo 77´


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Oleguer, Marquez, Puyol, Zambrotta (Gio 60´) - Edmilson (Giuly 60´), Deco, Xavi (Gudjohnsen 79´) - Iniesta, Saviola (Gudjohnsen), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Real Zaragoza (4-4-2): Cesar Sanchez - Diogo, Gerard Pique (Movilla 69´), G. Milito, Juanfran - Sergio, D´Alessandro, Zapater, Oscar - Sergio Garcia (Ewerthon 62´), D. Milito (Lafita 84´) - Manager: Víctor Fernández


Match Preview:
FC Barcelona were beaten 0-1 at home by Real Zaragoza in the first leg of the Spanish Cup quarter finals on Wednesday night. Barca transfer target Carlos Diogo scored the winner on 77 minutes when most spectators already settled for a draw. As suggested before, the tie will be settled in La Romareda now, but it will be a difficult task for Barca to proceed to the semi finals.


Both team has a slow start into the match, with FC Barcelona controlling the game and keeping posession but Zaragoza showing that their are willing to defend and to seek their chances purely in a leathal counter attack. Roanldinho and Deco start to nwork well in the middle of the field and Barca put pressure on the opponents but the team was not able to create any significant scoring opportunities.

The first chance wothwhile mentioning was a Xavi shot after 20 minutes, but which was no danger for Zaragoza´s goalkeeper Cesar.
Zambrotta looked good on the left side and had a few decent runs down the line.


the best chance appeared after 30 minutes when Saviola´s pass met Iniesta in the penalty area but goalkeeper Cesar deflected Ineasta´s effort in a one-on-one before Gabriel Milito could clear before the ball was crossing the goal line.


While Barca was dominating the midfield and showed some fine football, the team´s game was lacking of creating the opportunities to score. Zaragoza instead were purely defending and battling but came close to score twice. First it was an Oscar shot that went close before Sergio Garcia fired a ball against the post after a nice move and counter attack.


After the half time break, the game was interrupted steadily by several Zaragoza fouls (Barca 5 v Zaragoza 20 fouls at this time) in midfield. The plan to interrupt Barca´s passing game worked for Zaragoza because the team was not able to produce the same sort of football as in the first half. Rijkaard noticed it and tried to change things after exactly 1 hour. He brought in Ludovic Giuly for Edmilson and Gio Van Bronckhorst for Zambrotta. Like in previous games, Iniesta moved from the right wing to the central midfield holding role and the pacey Giuly took the right wing position. It looked like a good move from tactician Rijkaard because Giuly produced some good runs down the line and his sharp crosses were a danger in the Zaragoza penalty area.


Even Barca was trying to push for the lead, most spectators were settling for a goalless draw, when suddenly Uruguayan defender Carlos Diogo appeared in front of the Barca goal and headed the ball into the goal not only to the surprise of Barca keeper albert Joquera but for most spectators.


Barca coach Rijkaard brought on forward Eidur Gudjohnsen for midfielder Xavi trying to attack even more and going for the equalizer but Zaragoza´s defence stand firm and tight for the last 10 minutes until the final whistle.


My Prediction:

0-1 at home and a difficult game at La Romareda. But we have to look at it from a positive sight: this was only the first match of a two leg encounter, that means that Barca have at least another 90 minutes to correct the result and to progress to the semi-finals.


Barca was dominating again and made a few good plays, while again the final dangerous move is lacking. I can not wait for Samuel Eto´o and Messi to return, both of them able to surprise a whole defensive line with their speed and skills.


Again, Zaragoza proved to be a difficult opponent and will go with a big advantage into the second leg. For them, it is a massive result, especially considering that Barca had not lost a home game since nearly 1 year (6th February 2006).


I still believe in the team that they can overturn the defeat in Zaragoza but it will a difficult task. Barca is Barca and therefore anything is possible.