Eto’o goal secures three crucial points (0-1)
Eto’o goal secures three crucial points (0-1)
Barça have come away from Valladolid with three hard earned points. A delightful first half chip from Samuel Eto’o proved decisive.
There were concerns that the after-effects of the international break could cause Barça problems as they got their league campaign back on track. Indeed, the starting line-up at the Nuevo Zorrilla certainly reflected those worries. Big names like Messi, Henry and Alves started on the bench, while Pedro was handed a place in the first eleven. In fact, he proved to be one of the most decisive players in a first half that saw Eto’o tip the balance Barça’s way with an exquisite goal. The second 45 minutes was more about being practical as Barça nobly dealt with a courageous battle from the side coached by Mendilibar. Valladolid caused some problems, but Barça held on for three absolutely crucial points. Home side up for it Valladolid played with major intensity and Barça struggled to calm affairs from start to finish. The ‘Pucelanos’ sought to put constant pressure on the Barça defence, and the visiting centre backs were not allowed the kind of space for manoeuvre that they usually enjoy. As a result, Guardiola’s side struggled to produce the flowing football they are renowned for, and instead the game was more of a physical battle. The first three major chances did fall to Barça, through Pedro (min 11), Iniesta (min 18) and Eto’o (min 23), but it would be fair to say that at this stage neither side was clearly dominating the other. Eto’o breaks deadlock Barça gradually started raising their game, and produced more and more convincing attacks. Xavi came close in the 34th minute, but his strike from an Eto’o assist was sent too high. Shortly after, the same duo were involved in another move, this time with Eto’o on the receiving end, and the Cameroonian sent a terrific chip over Asenjo to make it 1-0. That was in the 40th minute, but it could easily have been two before half time, with Iniesta bringing out the best of the Valladolid keeper. Valladolid fight back Valladolid came out for the second half with an even more attacking formation, and came close to an equaliser in the 54th minute through Ecudero. The same player had another chance moments later after slaloming though the visiting defence, but failed to beat Valdés. The home side were causing worrying danger, and Guardiola responded by sending on Alves and Messi for Sylvinho and Pedro, hoping to calm down a strong opponent that seemed to have a very firm belief in their own chances of turning the game around. Solid stuff Iniesta almost sentenced the match with a 74th minute effort, and four minutes later Alves tried a shot himself. With only one goal in it, Valladolid made one last push to get something out of an enthralling game. But their efforts were thwarted not only by some highly efficient football from Barça, but also some sloppy errors of their own. The minutes ticked by, and the game ended with the leader three points richer, and clearly still on unstoppable form.
Barça have come away from Valladolid with three hard earned points. A delightful first half chip from Samuel Eto’o proved decisive.
There were concerns that the after-effects of the international break could cause Barça problems as they got their league campaign back on track. Indeed, the starting line-up at the Nuevo Zorrilla certainly reflected those worries. Big names like Messi, Henry and Alves started on the bench, while Pedro was handed a place in the first eleven. In fact, he proved to be one of the most decisive players in a first half that saw Eto’o tip the balance Barça’s way with an exquisite goal. The second 45 minutes was more about being practical as Barça nobly dealt with a courageous battle from the side coached by Mendilibar. Valladolid caused some problems, but Barça held on for three absolutely crucial points. Home side up for it Valladolid played with major intensity and Barça struggled to calm affairs from start to finish. The ‘Pucelanos’ sought to put constant pressure on the Barça defence, and the visiting centre backs were not allowed the kind of space for manoeuvre that they usually enjoy. As a result, Guardiola’s side struggled to produce the flowing football they are renowned for, and instead the game was more of a physical battle. The first three major chances did fall to Barça, through Pedro (min 11), Iniesta (min 18) and Eto’o (min 23), but it would be fair to say that at this stage neither side was clearly dominating the other. Eto’o breaks deadlock Barça gradually started raising their game, and produced more and more convincing attacks. Xavi came close in the 34th minute, but his strike from an Eto’o assist was sent too high. Shortly after, the same duo were involved in another move, this time with Eto’o on the receiving end, and the Cameroonian sent a terrific chip over Asenjo to make it 1-0. That was in the 40th minute, but it could easily have been two before half time, with Iniesta bringing out the best of the Valladolid keeper. Valladolid fight back Valladolid came out for the second half with an even more attacking formation, and came close to an equaliser in the 54th minute through Ecudero. The same player had another chance moments later after slaloming though the visiting defence, but failed to beat Valdés. The home side were causing worrying danger, and Guardiola responded by sending on Alves and Messi for Sylvinho and Pedro, hoping to calm down a strong opponent that seemed to have a very firm belief in their own chances of turning the game around. Solid stuff Iniesta almost sentenced the match with a 74th minute effort, and four minutes later Alves tried a shot himself. With only one goal in it, Valladolid made one last push to get something out of an enthralling game. But their efforts were thwarted not only by some highly efficient football from Barça, but also some sloppy errors of their own. The minutes ticked by, and the game ended with the leader three points richer, and clearly still on unstoppable form.
posted by PBL at
11:20 a. m.
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