| Champions League | |
|
Barcelona 1 - Glasgow Celtic 1 Barcelona:
Víctor Valdés; Belletti, Oleguer, Puyol, Sylvinho (Van
Bronckhorst 46'); Xavi, Márquez, Deco; Giuly (Iniesta 60') , Eto'o,
Ronaldinho. 4-3-3. Goals: Barcelona made it through to the second round of the competition after picking up the point they needed in a 1-1 draw with Celtic. With only fifteen fit players available from his first team squad, Frank Rijkaard had little choice but to put out his strongest available line up, although he did give a run out to Sylvinho and rested Van Bronckhorst. The big absence though was Henrick Larsson, who was unable to face his old side after tearing a knee ligament against Real Madrid a few days earlier. Still it looked as if the Catalans were going to run riot when Eto'o picked up a return pass from Deco to put them ahead midway through the first half, and then shot just wide a couple of minutes later. Hedman kept out efforts from Eto'o again and Giuly soon afterwards, and Xavi put another chance over the bar. But the Scots struck back on the stroke of half time, Hartson getting on the end of Petrov's free kick after Varga touched it on to turn the ball in on the far post. Rijkaard brought on Van Bronckhorst at the break after Sylvinho complained about a recurring pain in his knee, and his side came out looking to wrap things up. But Celtic closed ranks with eight or nine men back in defence, and there was no way through. Only a couple of efforts from Xavi caused any problems for Hedman, and in the end both sides settled for a point which helped them achieve their respective objectives, Barça through to the last 16 (albeit probably in second place behind AC Milan) and Celtic now with a one point advantage over Shakhtar in their fight for the UEFA cup spot. |
|
 |