FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.12.2008 12:42

Until the final whistle

Jesús Carrillo

Apart from Barça’s first League encounter, on the other four occasions when their opponents have taken the lead either in the League or in the Champions League the Catalans have managed to come from behind to win or draw the game.

The team has racked up wins after going a goal down in the games against Espanyol, Villarreal and Shakhtar Donetsk. It’s a demonstration of the players’ commitment and willingness to fight right up until the last minute.

The away fixture against Espanyol was the first time this season that Barça was able to turn the scoreboard around. Coro put Barça’s city rivals ahead in the first half, but after the break Henry and Messi from the penalty spot in the last minute did the honours as Barça pocketed all three points.

Next up Donetsk

Four days later the same happened away at Shakhtar in Barça’s second Champions League game. The Ukrainians took the lead in the first half and once more the Catalans had to come from behind, which they did as Messi struck twice in less than four minutes to win the game.

Keita to the rescue

Away at Villarreal Barça won again after falling behind. Cani put Pellegrini’s men ahead just after the halftime break but Keita stepped up to the plate to score the equaliser and then Henry slotted home the winner. The win made it 12 points out of 12 for Barça in their four matches against fellow title contenders and opened up a gap of 10 points for the Catalans at the top of the League over the club in second place.