16.02.2008 23:57
Five points behind the leader
Roger Bogunyà
Barça’s victory in Zaragoza, combined with Real Madrid’s defeat in Sevilla, means that matchday 24 has been a good one all round for the azulgranas. They’ve managed to cut Madrid’s lead by three points and are now just five behind.
When Barça started their match in La Romareda at 10 pm they knew that the League leader, Real
Madrid, had slipped up in Seville by losing to Betis. Two hours later Barcelona had reduced the
points gap with Bernd Schuster’s men from 8 to 5 with another 14 League games still to go.
Looked easier for Madrid
They’ve done that on a match weekend which in principle looked easier for Madrid than
Barça. Madrid were away at Betis, who prior to this Saturday were hovering on the edge of the
relegation zone, while Barça had to take on Zaragoza who had only lost once at home this season. At
the end of the day the two results have benefited the Catalans who are now five points behind the
leader.
A tale of two penalties
The encounter with Zaragoza was nevertheless very intense
and in the end was decided from the penalty spot. Diego Milito missed his for Zaragoza, the first
penalty awarded against Barcelona that hasn’t been converted into a goal this season. By
contrast Ronaldinho scored his for Barça. It was the Brazilian’s first goal since he netted
against Deportivo and his first in 2008.
It has also been the second Barcelona match this season featuring penalties for both sides.
The first was in Lyon (2-2), though on that occasion both Messi and Juninho put their penalties
away.
Still unbeaten
The 1-2 victory at Zaragoza means that Barça remain unbeaten in 2008. Since they lost to
Madrid in the Camp Nou, the azulgranas have picked up points in every game. And this time
they’ve done it by scoring more than one goal, something they hadn’t achieved since the
game against Murcia on 12 January.
Barça’s away form has improved enormously and the early season doubts now seem a long
way away. They haven’t lost away from the Camp Nou for three months now, with the last defeat
being at Getafe on 10 November 2007.