Home matches are no problem for Barca as Frank Rijkaard makes Atletico understand.
FC Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard is sure of victory today against Atletico Madrid, who have been trying to scare Barca with the likes of joint top scorer Aguero and a supposed unexplained anger and rage coming from the Madrid players. Read Barca coach Frank Rijkaard's reaction:
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Match Report: Sunday 20/05/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 35 ATLETICO MADRID - FC BARCELONA 0-6 (0-3)
Vicente Calderon, Madrid – Attendance: 55.000
Referee: Cesar Muniz Fernandez
Goals:
0-1 Messi 38´
0-2 Zambrotta 41´
0-3 Eto´o 45´
0-4 Ronaldinho 57´
0-5 Messi 80´
0-6 Iniesta 90´
Atletico Madrid (4-5-1): Pichu - Seitaridis, Fabiano Eller, Zé Castro, Antonio Lopez - Galletti (Aguero 52´), Luccin, Maniche (Maxi Rodriguez 41´), Petrov (Mista 71´), Jurado - Fernando Torres - Manager: Javier Aguirre
FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Gio - Edmilson (Motta 77´), Xavi (Gudjohnsen 81´), Deco (Iniesta 66´) - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard
Match Report:
A roaring FC Barcelona humiliated Atletico Madid at the Vicente Calderon with a 6-0 victory. Barca showed an inspirational performance and made it clear that they are top contendors for the title. Goals from Messi (2), Zambrotta, Eto´o, Ronaldinho and Iniesta ended a 7 year run without victory at the Calderon.
The Blaugrana dominated from the first minute and the Rojoblancos were not able to cope with the consisting attacking pressure piled on them from a determined Barca side.
A stunning period in the last 10 minutes of the first half killed the whole match off and Barca went with a 3-0 lead into half-time. The first goal came from Leo Messi after a great 1-2 with Eto´o. Messi had no problems to finish for the lead.
On minute 41, Zambrotta after chesting down a nice Thuram pass, simply lobbed the ball over Atletico goalkeeper Pichu (What the hell was the keeper doing?) to extend the lead to 2-0. In the 45th minute, Deco entered the penalty area on the left side, ran down to the touchline and passed the ball into the middle. Again, an unlucky Pichu, who anticipated a ball back to the penalty spot only deflected the ball near to the goal line where Eto´o finished superbly before Antonio Lopez could clear the ball off the line.
After the break the Barca show went on and in the 57th minute the team showed pure class. A team effort involving Xavi, Deco and Samuel Eto’o produced a sensational goal, that even the atletico fans started to applaude. Xavi, with a nice technical stunt lifted the ball over his opponent and after running towards the Atletico goal passed the ball to Deco. The Portuguese international then picked out Ronaldinho at the left edge of the penalty area. Dinho then found Eto´o in the centre with one of his magical trademark passes. The Cameroon international Eto´o simply touched the ball ones before he put the ball in the back of the defence. Ronaldinho coolly finished for the 4-0 by sending the keeper in the wrong corner.
The game was already over at that stage but it came even worse for Atletico. First Fabiano Eller was sent off for a second yellow card and brought his team down to 10 man in the 72nd minute and then, with 1 man less in defence Gio used the space simply to lift the ball into the space where Messi picked up the ball. The argentinian forward ran towards the Atletico goal and lobbed the approaching goalkeeper Pichu.
It could have come worse for Madrid, but Pichu made a few saves before he was beaten for the sixth time in the last minute of the game. Substitute Gudjohnsen saw Andres Iniesta running into the free space and passed the ball superbly into his path. Iniesta himself then picked out Eto´o who unselfishly passed the ball back to Iniesta who simply had to tap into the empty goal.
We saw a great Barca show on a fantastic night. Without doubt this was the best performance this season and showed the pure class that is in this team.
when the final whisle came, the stadium was already half empty and some of the remaining supporters even applauded the Blaugrana, something seen only once before in Madrid at the Bernabeu when Barca beat Real 3-0.
My Comment:
What a terrific thrashing for Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon. this is beyond all dreams that I had before the match. A fantastic team display finally proved by 5 different players scoring the 6 goals.
There was no better time to wipe out the poor record since 7 years at the Calderon and WOW! what a victory.
The Blaugrana knew all the scores before their match and had been under pressure. Real Madrid´s lucky last minute win (like last week) put them at the top and only a win would leave Barca in touch. And how well did the team respond to this pressure!
6 goals in Madrid and a demonstration of the finest football. This was great enjoyment and it could not have been better (except Real dropping some points).
On this evening we saw the face of the team that we wish for. This was pure determination and a battle to win the third title in a row.
Even the result leaves Barca in second place behind Real Madrid, the game must have been a real confidence injection for all, the team and the supporters. We can all dream of the 3rd title in a row!
FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is confident that his team can beat Atletico and break the negative run of recent years at the Vicente Calderon in Madrid.
Here are Rijkaard´s comments at the official press conference prior to the atletico match:
The team has worked hard all week and has reacted well. We are capable of winning at any ground and against any opponent. This weekend is decisive and it is important we get a good result but that would not mean that the job will be done.
Atletico have always played well against Barça. They have fast players, very quick. But we are confident we can get a decent result. Torres is one of the star players. He has a very strong personality. But we will be going out there keen to do the job and to play flowing football.
In the league teams can slip up in any game. I don’t take any notice of what other teams do.
I enjoy dealing with difficult situations. To say the truth, I don’t like being praised when I am working. It doesn’t help. But, for me, criticism is always going to add to the motivation.
We have to show character and mentality, but intelligence too. We need to work together to get the right result. It has to be a collective effort.
Match Preview: Sunday 20/05/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 35 ATLETICO MADRID - FC BARCELONA
Vicente Calderon, Madrid – Capacity: 55.000
Referee: Muniz Fernandez
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Cuellar - Seitaridis, Fabiano Eller, Zé Castro, Antonio Lopez - Galletti, Luccin, Maniche, Petrov - Aguero, Fernando Torres - Manager: Javier Aguirre
FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta (Belletti), Thuram, Puyol, Gio - Iniesta, Xavi, Deco - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard
Match Preview:
Atletico (6th/54 points) will meet FC Barcelona (2nd/66 points) at the Vicente Calderon in Madrid tonight.
Barca will not receive any favours from Atletico, this is for sure, simply because there is too much at stake. Atletico Madrid is on a UEFA Cup place and will fight for every inch on the pitch to maintain there, even their fans would probably rather not qualify for the UEFA Cup than handing the Championship title to their city rivals Real.
Barca´s draw against Betis was an unexpected setback in the Championship race. Barca lost pole position and is not in the driving seat any more, which means they have to hope for Real dropping points somewhere and winning any of the 4 matches left to play. Barça simply cannot afford to lose any of their matches, if they want to stay in the title race.
French winger Ludovic Giuly and midfielder Thiago Motta are back in the team after missing last week´s game against Betis. Motta has fully recovered from an abscess in his right leg, while the Giuly returns after being dropped last Sunday. Deco and Puyol have travelled to Madrid despite minor injury concerns. Deco fully recovered from his left ankle injury, while captain Puyol will also be available for selection despite a knock on his fifth metatarsal of his left foot in training on Thursday. This week Saviola, Ezquerro and Sylvinho are rested, while Marquez is not available for selection because he still has not returned to full fitness.
We do not expect any major changes, therefore we should see the usual back 4 with Zambrotta (may be Belletti), Thuram, Puyol and Gio. Rijkaard will probably play with an offensive midfield Iniesta, Xavi and Deco, but might opt for some steel in the defensive part of the midfield and give a run out to Edmilson or Motta (for either Iniesta or Xavi). Ronaldinho, Eto´o and Messi will build the attack.
Barca is facing a difficult trip to Madrid. Blaugrana coach Rijkaard has not won so far at the Vicente Calderon and in fact, Barca have not won since the great 3-0 victory in 1999/2000. Atletico have only lost 3 times at home this season. The passionate 55,000 sell-out crowd will try to lift their team, due to the fact that there is a lot to play for. Atletico are 6th and 4 points ahead of Recreativo de Huelva and Villarreal, but a defeat against Barca would pile a lot of pressure on the "Rojoblancos", if Recre or Villarreal should win their matches. That Huelva wins their match is all we are hoping for!!!
My Prediction:
Only 4 matches are to play and 12 points to fight for. Now, also in La Liga start the calculations and thoughts about, what could, should and would be. But the facts are quite clear:
4 teams, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia have all theoretical chances to win the title.
In my opinion, if Barca wins all 4 matches, the Blaugrana will be champions. I believe that 3 wins and 1 draw could be enough. Real has 2 tough away matches. I can see Real dropping points against Recreativo, who have really surprised with good football this season and in Zaragoza.
Sevilla and Valencia have only very slim outsider´s chances.
The tricky match for Barca is tonight. FC Barcelona need to go out to beat Atletico Madrid to keep the La Liga title hope on track. That will mean ending a win-less spell at the Vicente Calderón that goes back for 7 years. There is no doubt that there could be no better time than the present for that record to be set straight.
The Barca player´s know what is at stake and they have the team that can win at the Vicente Calderon. Today, I see Barca winning against Atletico and the Merengues drawing in Huelva. Cheers!
The team has worked hard all week and has reacted well. We are capable of winning at any ground and against any opponent. This weekend is decisive and it is important we get a good result but that would not mean that the job will be done.