Monday, January 7, 2008

First Match & First Win This Year


After a goalless first half, Rafa Márquez nodded the Blaugrana in front midway through the second period and Samuel Eto'o added a superb second in injury time.

The win put Barça's previous league defeat against Real Madrid behind them and extended Mallorca's poor home run.

With Ronaldinho unavailable, coach Frank Rijkaard opted to reintroduce Eidur Gudjohnsen into midfield and play Andrés Iniesta and Giovani Dos Santos up front with Samuel Eto'o.

Mallorca were hoping that by packing their defensive and swamping the midfield that they would stifle their opponents and the tactic worked throughout the first half.

Despite Sunday being the final day of Christmas, there was little festive cheer inside the stadium as the supporters remained quiet for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.

Given Mallorca's record at home it is not surprising as their long-suffering fans have not seen a win since October 7.

Dani Güiza was employed up front on his own, but he was able to cause Barça an early scare as he beat Gaby Milito to a low through-ball before turning back and firing a shot just wide of the post from the edge of the area.

The visitors drew level on shots when Iniesta edged past three defenders before sending a drive just past the far post, but those were the clearest chances of the half.

Barcelona dominated possession, but were unable to open up the tight back line that Gregorio Manzano had organised.

Angelos Basinas found a small space 20 yards from goal in the 23rd minute, but his effort was wide of the target.

Mallorca showed that they were capable of coming forward and posing questions of their own as the game remained tense despite the swift movement of the ball.

Misplaced passes and ambitious punts forward did little to help as half-time approached and Rijkaard chose to mix things up by introducing Bojan at the start of the second period.

Gudjohnsen made way for the youngster with Iniesta dropping back into midfield, but still chances were few and far between.

Güiza limped out of the action soon after the restart and the home side missed his physical presence going forward, but it still appeared that either team's best chance of breaking the deadlock was from a set piece.

That proved to be the case as Barcelona took the lead in the 63rd minute when Rafa Márquez was left unmarked to leap and meet Xavi's corner to nod the ball into the far corner of Lux's net.

The goal relaxed Barça and made Mallorca open up slightly and Rijkaard hoped that the introduction of Henry in place of Dos Santos would give his side something different.

With 14 minutes remaining the Frenchman showed a flash of brilliance as he skipped into the area and curled a trademark shot towards the far corner only for a superb save from Lux to deny him.

Mallorca continued to fancy their chances and Fernando Varela tried his luck from distance in the closing minutes, but with the pressure off them the visitors were looking calm.

Three minutes into injury time Barça finally produced a flowing move that was reminiscent of their home form and added a second goal to their tally.

Bojan cut inside from the left flank before finding Henry on the edge of the area and the forward set up Eto'o who powered home a shot from 25 yards out.

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