Barcelona 3 - Real Sociedad
1
Barcelona: Arnau; Abelardo, Reiziger; Puyol, Xavi, Zenden;
Litmanen, Cocu; Simao, Kluivert, Figo. 2-3-2-3. Real Sociedad:
Alberto; López Rekarte, Guerrero, Loren, Pikabea, Aranzábal;
Gómez, De Pedro, Khokhlov, Sa Pinto; De Paula. 5-4-1.
Barcelona
took advantage of slip ups by the three clubs above them to lay down the
gauntlet for the second half of the season. Their victory against a poor Real
Sociedad side moves them to within six points of the top, and Deportivo are
already starting to feel their hot breath on the back of their necks. Javier
Clemente's Real Sociedad meanwhile feel the cold wind of the second division
blowing up their trouser legs as they drop to next to bottom, with the spectre
of relegation starting to be on the lips of some of their more pessimistic
fans. The soap opera of the week was the Rivaldo affair, with the European
player of the year making a public apology to Louis Van Gaal and agreeing to
play wherever his manager wants, even on the left wing. His reconciliation came
too late for him to be included in this game however, with Simao keeping his
place in a team with only one change, fully fit Jari Litmanen making his first
home start in place of the injured Luis Enrique. The Barcelona substitute's
bench was the envy of most first division managers, with Hesp, both De Boers,
Sergi, Guardiola, Dani and youngster Gabri giving the Barcelona fans nickname
'culés' (literally bottoms) a new expensive meaning. Barcelona's ex
'dream team' captain, José Mari Bakero was alongside them, having
replaced Ronald Koeman as assistant to Van Gaal. Real's new signing Khokhlov
came straight into the side for Aranburu in midfield, with De Paula and
López Rekarte coming in for Idiakez and the injured Corino. Rivaldo's
absence was not missed however, with Figo switching to his left wing spot and
scoring two excellent goals in the 26th and 62nd minutes. Both goals were
similar, the Portuguese beating defenders and curling shots past Alberto from
the edge of the penalty area. Litmanen proved his timely return to fitness
after a long injury, scoring Barcelona's second ten minutes before half time
after Kluivert skilfully laid the ball on from Zenden's pass. In the last
minute Real got a consolation goal, but even then it was a Barcelona player who
scored it, substitute Guardiola turning a cross from the right past his own
keeper when under pressure from Idiakez and Bonilla, who had replaced Guerrero
and De Paula at half time.
Valencia 1 - Celta 1
Valencia: Palop; Angloma, Djukic, Pellegrino,
Björklund; Milla, Gerard, Mendieta, Kily González; Claudio
López, Juan Sánchez. 4-4-2. Celta: Pinto; Velasco,
Cáceres, Sergio, Juanfran; Makelele, Giovanella; Karpin, Celades,
Revivo, McCarthy. 4-2-3-1.
In the televised Saturday match, a Celta
side decimated by flu hung on to win a valiant point against on form Valencia.
With Djorovic and Mostovoi also suspended, Celta manager Víctor
Fernández, who himself was feeling under the weather, was forced to make
five changes to the side. Dutruel and Gustavo López stayed in bed, with
Giovanella and Juanfran playing although not yet fully recovered. The striker
position went to McCarthy this time, although Celta are scouring the market for
someone with more experience as neither he nor Turdó are fulfilling
expectations, and Kaviedes, currently on international duty with Ecuador at the
pre-olympic tournament, will probably go on loan to another club for the rest
of the season. Angloma and Gerard returned to the side in place of Gerardo and
Farinós, and it was the young Catalan midfielder Gerard who scored the
first goal of the new millennium in the sixth minute of the match, his header
from Mendieta's corner giving replacement keeper Pinto no chance. Celta came
back with Karpin hitting the post and Cáceres missing an easy chance
from close up. Four minutes into the second half they got their reward, Right
back Velasco getting his first goal for his new club, dribbling through the
Valencia defence before shooting past Palop (who is keeping Spanish
international Cañizares on the bench). Both teams made changes late in
the half, with youngsters Angulo and Farinós coming on for Valencia and
Turdó (for McCarthy again), Mazinho and Tomás coming on for the
visitors. Worthy of note is the performance of referee Brito Arceo, who went
the whole match without showing a red or yellow card, something of a record for
a Spanish official and certainly for the infamous Canary Islander. The draw
maintains respective runs for both teams: Valencia have now gone seven games
without defeat, and Celta have not won in the last five. Valencia move to
fifth, one place and three points behind their rivals. |