Match Report: Saturday 17/03/2007 22:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 27
RECREATIVO DE HUELVA - FC BARCELONA 0:4 (0:3)

Nuevo Colombino, Huelva – Capacity: 21.000
Referee: Havier Turienzo Alvarez


Goals:

0-1 Eto´o 3´
0-2 Zambrotta 39´

0-3 Eto´o 41´
0-4 Messi 86´


Recreativo (4-4-2): López Vallejo - Merino, Beto, Mario, Dani Bautista - Juanma (Cheli 73´), Jesús Vázquez, Rafa Barber (Arzo 69´), Aitor - Pongolle (Rosu 45´), Uche - Manager: Marcelino Garcia Toral


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho - Iniesta, Xavi, Deco (Gio 68´) - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho (Gudjohnsen 80´) - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:

A fantastic day for Barca! The Cameroon lion Eto´o is roaring again and Super Messi scored again. FC Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of the Primera Liga after an superb 4-0 victory over Recreativo de Huelva, while Valencia lost at home to Racing Santander and suffered a huge blow to their title hopes.


Barca was in sparkling form and took already an early lead after just 3 minutes through their hitman Samuel Eto´o. Italian full back Gianluca Zambrotta made it 2-0 on minute 39, before Eto´o scored his second shortly before half-time (42´). Youngster Lionel Messi finally sealed the 4-0 victory in the 86th minute. Barca will stay top, regardless how the competitors Sevilla and/or Real Madrid play.


FC Barcelona´s coach started, as predicted with a 4-3-3 formation, that paid off very quickly. Barca had the perfect start into the game. Just after 3 minutes it was Samuel Eto'o's with a long distance shot from ab out 30-35 metres.
What a wonderful start into this difficult away game. Barca was passing the ball well but Recreativo were also creating chances on their own with Antonio Jesus Vazquez missing the biggest chance when he hit the outside of the post on 24 minutes.


But already in minute 39´ the Blaugrana were 2-0 upfront. A superb interchange of passes when Italian full back Gianluca Zambrotta put the ball over Vallejo after fine work from Ronaldinho and Deco.


5 minutes from halftime Eto´o was denied his second goal after a great individual effort but just shortly after he finished a Silvinho cross at the far post on minute 41´. 3-0 before halftime!


Recreativo started better into the second half, while Barca was sitting on a comfortable 3-0 lead. FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes was tested early in the second half when he saved a Juanma´s chance as well as Uche´s header. Later, he was again in the spotlight when he stopped Cheli's volley.


With time running out for Recreativo, a superb Messi took possession of the ball and cruised through the penalty area and cooly put the ball past Recre goalkeeper Vallejo.


Barca stays top regardless was happens later in the day with Sevilla and Real.


My Comment:

FC Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of the league table after a convincing victory at Recreativo. This is a very important win because it pushes the defence of the title on track and hands out a clear signal to all other challengers.


I have hoped for a small win, because I had the fear the team could drop points at an inform Recreativo but the last night´s performance was just superb and gives them a great advantage over their competitors when Sevilla, Valencia and Real Madrid all meet it other. In every single match, at least one of them has to drop points and when they draw, even both could fall behind further, if Brca manages to win their match.


We are now in the decicive moment of the season and Barca is clearly ready to win the Liga title for the third consecutive time.


Samu Eto´os´ early strike from about 35 metres was a nice surprise and probably gave the team the confidence they needed for this important and difficult encounter. Deco and Iniesta were great in midfield and worked hard.


Barca just scored at the right times in the first half of the match (early, then a double blow, just before half-time) and sealed the victory more or less already in the first 41 minutes. Everything just seemed to be right on this evening. Barca played with just the right mix of pressure and patience, that also ensured that the victory was never at risk, once Barca took the lead so early.


This is Barca´s first away win for about 4 month in La Liga. I am sure more will follow after this convincing victory. Barca is back on track and with the challengers consistantly dropping points, I can only see one team winning the title this year: FC Barcelona!


I will be relaxed tonight and will have a cool beer, when the Merengues meet Nastic of Tarragona. Gimnastic had a good run recently and even they are bottom of the table, I can see them kidnapping a point from Bernabeu. Also Sevilla has not won against Celta yet! Just great!