FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.02.2009 18:28

Heroic win with eight (3-2)

Edgar Fornós

Barça Atlètic has picked up all three points from a game in which Botia, Verdés and Abraham were all sent off, and stay close to the top of the table.

Luis Enrique’s side have deservedly beaten one of the best sides in the competition. The game was won in the second half but two disallowed goals and the sending off of Botia, Verdés and Abraham made life difficult for the Catalans.

Hopeful beginning

Barça Atlètic began well and soon took the lead when Goran Maric was put through and gave Longàs the easiest of goals. Barça continued to pressurise and Maric almost got a second from a Jeffren cross. Minutes later Víctor Vázquez left the field injured to be replaced by Abraham González. Three minutes before the break the referee gave a penalty for handball by Verdés and Joan Tomàs sent Miño the wrong way to equalise.

Back in the lead

After the restart Luis Enrique’s men didn’t let up and soon Jeffren put Barça back in the lead as the Catalans struck on the break. Two minutes later Benja, who’d just come on, sent in a fine assist for Rueda who made it 3-1. Villarreal then pulled one back through Chando.

Controversial ending

The last ten minutes were the most controversial of the season so far at the Miniestadi, as Barça had two goals disallowed and Alberto Botia, Hector Verdés and Abraham Gonzàlez were all sent off. With just eight players on the pitch Barça hung on despite the last minute alarm of a shot from Villarreal which hit the bar.

The victory means an end to Barça Atlètic’s run of three games without a win and keeps them near the top of Second Division B.