FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.08.2007 15:28

Eto’o, ‘Ronnie' and Henry together

Anna Segura

Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Henry played together form the first time. All three started the match and acted as an attacking trident for the first 45 minutes.

Against Beijing Guoan, Frank Rijkaard fielded Eto'o and Henry together, but against Yokohama Marinos he went one better and lined up Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Henry. None of the three scored, but did manage to produce some terrific plays between them.

Constant positional changes

Eto'o started on the left, Ronaldinho in the middle and Henry on the right, but the trio constantly changed positions throughout the half. And that caused no end of problems for the Yokohama defence, although none of the many chances were converted into goals.

Eto'o had the best chances, the first on 31 minutes from a quality Ronaldinho pass. The Cameroonian did his job, but the goal was disallowed for a blatantly inexistent offside.

Changes to the attack

The attack was modified in the second half, with Frank Rijkaard bringing Giovani Dos Santos on for Thierry Henry at half time. There was little change, however, with the visitors creating plenty of chances, but luck was not on their side. Finally, it was a 75th minute goal from Giovani Dos Santos, following a move involving Eto'o and Ronaldinho, that broke the deadlock. That was the Mexican’s third goal of the pre-season, a figure only equalled by Ronaldinho.