FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.05.2008 14:50

Barça B – League champions (0-1)

Marc Guillén / Jaume Marcet

FC Barcelona’s youth side has won the Third Division’s group 5 by beating Europa 0-1 away. Barça B needed to win to finish first, and so guarantee they play the second leg of the promotion play-off at home.

Pep Guardiola’s team clearly dominated the game, but Europa was out for counter-attacks. Victor Vazquez scored a great goal in the 55th minute in a second half dominated by Barça.

Draw at half-time

The first half was fairly equal, but both teams had different game plans. Barça B controlled the game, but Europa closed down at the back and looked for a counter-attack. They only had five shots at goal during the half.

Barça B had some clear chances. Victor Vázquez, playing in midfield, was the key player today. Guerra received a good pass from Vázquez, but he wasn’t able to score, and Valiente got in a dangerous shot from a corner, but again no breakthrough.

“Blaugrana” second half

Just two minutes into the second half, Xavi failed to score in what was Europa’s best chance of the whole match. From here on in, Barça B controlled the game and Europa closed down at the back.

In the 55th minute, Victor Vazquez took the ball from midfield and scored a great goal, and from this point, Barça B controlled the game completely.

Barça B to play second leg promotion play-off at home

After a recent leadership struggle with Sant Andreu, Barça B needed to win to finish first, and so guarantee they play the second leg of the promotion play-off at home. Barça B have had an impeccable second half to the league, with only two defeats, and they have pipped Sant Andreu to the top spot by one point.

In the play-off, Barça B will now face one of the teams who finish fourth in one of the 18 groups in the Third Division. If they win, they’ll go on to play one more two-leg play-off to become a Second B Division team. The draw for the play-offs will take place on Monday afternoon, and the first games take place next weekend.