FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.05.2008 14:21

Through to the semis (4-1)

Cristina Collado

Barça Senseit has gone through to the semi-finals of the league play off having beaten Benicarlo 4-1 in the second leg of the quarterfinal. In what is almost an historic achievement for this Barça team.

They had to seal the victory at home to avoid returning to Benicarlo. They didn’t waste the chance. Barça played yet another tight game, especially in defence, and deserved the 4-1 victory over Benicarlo in the Palau, thereby earning an almost historic place in the play-off semi-finals for the League title. Barça face the winner of the Interviu-Lobelle game, both having a victory under their belts.

Dead ball

The defensive game of both sides meant few clear goal opportunities during the game. This is why the best chances came from dead ball situations. Benicarlo had two, almost consecutive chances from two free kicks. Vadillo took the first and Paco Sedano blocked it, but Deives managed to get on the rebound, which the Barça keeper yet again stopped. From another free kick, Valença put Sedano’s reflexes to the test with two consecutive shots. Barça Senseit also tried from a free kick, but Javi Rodríguez hit the crossbar.

Outstanding goalkeepers

Parrel was the danger man for the visiting team, but the Brazilian winger found his attempts on goal repeatedly frustrated by an outstanding performance by the Barça keeper. Paco avoided a one on one with Parrel and sent the Benicarlo players powerful shot wide using his foot. Dani Fernandez’s entrance for Barça Senseit brought more shots from outside the box. But Dani’s shots were also well stopped by Leandro.

Great goal by Fernandao

The first goal of the match came in the eleventh minute, from Fernandao, who has scored six in the last three games. The Brazilian pivot made an incredible move. He received the ball on the penalty spot, dribbled a defender and scored with his left.

In the last stretch of the first half Barça Senseit managed to hold well in defence without committing the sixth foul. After only nine minutes of play Marc Carmona’s boys had already committed five.

Leandro, dangerous

At the restart Benicarlo began to play with their keeper pushing into attack, though not as much as in the first game, where they paid the price. The power of the Brazilian goalkeepers shots from outside the box threatened the Barça goal.

Six minutes from the end Fernandao had to leave the pitch with pain in the adductor muscle of his right leg. While the Barça pivot was complaining on the bench his teammates made it 2-0. A mistake by Leandro, the keeper, gave the ball to Javi Rodriguez who took the ball and scored the second. Miki sent Tete on as a keeper-player.


Javi and Leandro sent off

A foul by Javi in the box meant the captain’s second yellow card and therefore, sending off. With Barça Senseit one man down, Benicarlo had a golden opportunity to close the gap with a penalty, but Paco Sedan, outstanding, stopped it. Minutes later it was Benicarlo’s turn to go a man down after Leandro’s sending off, who was replaced by Arturo between the posts. Dani Fernandez took the double penalty and scored the third goal.

With two minutes to go PC scored the fourth and the people in the Palau went crazy. The crowd all stood up and cheered for FC Barcelona Senseit. Benicarlo managed a consolation goal with a shot from Valença going through the keeper’s legs. It was the final goal; the 4-1 victory for Barça had sealed their place in the semi-finals.