FCBARCELONA.CAT

04.01.2009 13:26

Persistence produces Barça comebacks

Edgar Fornós

FC Barcelona are showing they can cope well with adverse conditions. The win against Mallorca was the fifth time this season that they have bounced back from behind.

A good way of judging whether a team really works is by observing how they react when things are going against them. When the opposition score first, it takes a special effort to come out of it with the three points. But Barça have done this in four league matches against Betis, Espanyol, Villarreal and Mallorca, as well in the Champions League match with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Old and new year comebacks

Barça ended 2008 by winning one of the trickiest games of the season, at El Madrigal. Villarreal had gone ahead through Cani, but Keita and Henry stepped up to turn things around. In the first game of 2009, Mallorca also scored first, but once again it was Barça who were celebrating in the end.

Two big games for Barça

Guardiola’s side started the season dropping points, and didn’t win until game three against Sporting. But to continue their winning form, Barça then had to bounce back against both Betis and Espanyol. Betis managed to equalise after Barça had twice taken the lead, but eventually a goal from Gudjohnsen meant the three points stayed at home.

In the Catalan derby at Montjuïc against Espanyol, FC Barcelona starred in an even more spectacular comeback. They were a goal down with just ten minutes to play when Henry scored in the 83rd minute and then Messi grabbed the Barça winner in stoppage time.