Barcelona 2 - Valencia 2

Barcelona: Bonano; Gabri, Puyol, Frank De Boer, Coco; Luis Enrique, Xavi, Cocu; Geovanni (Reiziger 75'), Saviola; Kluivert (Motta 90'). 4-3-2-1.
Valencia: Cañizares (Palop 28'); Curro Torres, Ayala, Pellegrino, Carboni; Rufete (Vicente 85'), Albelda, Marchena, Kily González; Juan Sánchez, Salva Ballesta (Ilie 75'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barcelona: Coco, Saviola for Reiziger, Alfonso / Valencia: Ayala, Kily González for Djukic, Vicente.

Goals:
0-1. 26. Salva. First time shot past Bonano as Sánchez laid ball back.
1-1. 42. Saviola. Volley on near post connecting with Coco cross from left.
1-2. 73. Marchena. Shot from 35 metres which went across Bonano into top of net.
2-2. 74. Gabri. Shot from outside of area which deflected off Coco's back into net

Barcelona had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Valencia, who maintain their unbeaten record in all competitions. Last season the two sides met in the last game of the season, with Rivaldo's spectacular overhead kick winning the game for Barça and taking them ahead of their opponents to clinch the last Champions League spot. However there was no Rivaldo in the line up this time, Rexach reserving the Brazilian star for the midweek Champions League game after he showed signs of tiredness midweek having just returned from international duty.

Rivaldo's absence meant that Saviola started the game, and he levelled the scores with a well taken goal after Salva had opened the scoring in a period of domination by the visitors. Barça finally came in to the match in the second half, but Marchena restored the lead for Valencia with a long shot with twenty minutes to go. The lead only lasted a minute or so though as Gabri equalised almost immediately with a shot which deflected in off Coco, and Frank De Boer almost won it with a header which brushed the bar in the last minute. The draw keeps Barcelona in fourth place, with Valencia a point behind them in fifth. The visitors' Spanish international keeper Cañizares broke a rib in a clash with Frank De Boer and was rushed off to a local hospital, with Palop coming on in his place in the first half.