Barcelona 2 - Celta 2

Barcelona: Bonano; Puyol, Christanval (Frank De Boer 46'), Andersson, Coco (Xavi 35'); Gabri (Sergi 46'), Gerard, Cocu; Rivaldo; Saviola, Overmars. 4-3-1-2.
Celta: Cavallero; Coira (Catanha 62'), Cáceres, Berizzo, Juanfran (Silvinho 65'); Luccin, Vagner; Karpin, Mostovoi, Jesuli (Yago 91'); Edu. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Barcelona: Coco, Gerard, Saviola for Frank De Boer, Xavi, Kluivert / Celta: Coira, Mostovoi for Velasco, Catanha.

Goals:
1-0. 02. Gabri. Angled shot past keeper after defence failed to clear Puyol cross.
2-0. 48. Saviola. Turned ball back after Cavallero pushed away De Boer header.
2-1. 72. Sergi (own goal). Turned ball past own keeper from Karpin's cross.
2-2. 84. Edu. Headed Karpin's floated cross from right down past Bonano.

Sixth placed Celta came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Barcelona and keep ahead of their opponents in the league. Having gone four games without a win, Rexach left Xavi on the bench for the first time this season, and with Kluivert suspended for one game, Gerard and Saviola were given an opportunity in the starting line up. Mostovoi returned to Víctor Fernández's side after a four match ban, and to make room for him, Catanha was left on the bench with Edu playing at centre forward. The Catalans got off to the best possible start, Gabri rolling the ball past Cavallero after Mostovoi headed the ball up in his own penalty area in the second minute. Gradually Celta got back in the game, and Rexach decided to make a change with ten minutes still to go before half time, a clearly upset Coco being the man sacrificed to allow Xavi to join the fray.

Celta were still playing the better football, and Vagner was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty before half time. However Saviola increased the lead for the home side after the restart after appearing to handle the ball as he went in to challenge Cavallero. Víctor brought on Catanha for Coira (who was covering for the injured Velasco) to lead the fight-back, but it was Karpin who did the damage, floating in a cross which half time substitute Sergi turned in to his own net under challenge from Edu. And then six minutes from the end the Russian set up Edu for him to head a more than deserved equaliser, his fourth in the last three league games and his eighth of the season in all competitions. Unfortunately Karpin then blotted his copybook getting himself sent off for a kick on Sergi off the ball, and both sides ended with ten men on the park after Andersson was stretchered off unconscious after falling badly and hitting his head on the ground.