FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.08.2008 22:39

A poor start (1-4)

Cristina Collado

Barça got the futsal season off to a disappointing start at the Palau Blaugrana against Caja Segovia. Marc Carmona’s side lost their first match of the season.

The game got off to a well-balanced start, with former Barça man Andreu Linares getting the first chance for the side coached by Miguel Rodrigo, which Cristian managed to turn away. There was an immediate response from Fernandao with a powerful long range drive. His compatriot Chico had a great chance in a one on one with Cidao, but nothing came of it.

Shortly after Caja Segovia had more luck in front of goal, with Nano Modrego putting his side ahead after eight minutes.

Good pressure

The chances rained down upon Barça, who piled on both offensive and defensive pressure, and generated plenty of clear opportunities. Fernandao, immediately after the first goal, PC, with a chip, and Igor with a long-range strike all had chances to equalise.

FC Barcelona were also dangerous from dead ball situations. Saad almost scored from a corner and Chico came close with a header that just skimmed wide of the post. But after the first 20 minutes no good had come of all that pressure and Barça went in for the break a goal behind.

Igor goes off

Barça started the second half without Igor, who has picked up a leg injury. Over the next few hours an announcement will be made regarding the players condition.

Barça looked even stronger going into the second half. Fernandao issued an early warning with a shot on the turn, and straight after, Chico stole a ball in the centre of the court and almost scored in a one on one situation. Even goalkeeper Cristian, from his own half, got the chance to try a shot, which narrowly scraped over Cidao’s goal.

Too much punishment

But even though Barça enjoyed a host of chances, the goals came for the opposition. First Matías and then Guga widened the gap in the space of a minute (28'). Andreu almost made it four, but Cristian turned the ball onto the post.

Midway through the second half, Fernandao closed the gap to make it 1-3. Carmona then decided to send on Chico as a keeper-player and hence add to Barça’s attacking strength. Fernandao had two chances that he failed to convert, whereupon Diego tried a speculative shot from inside his own half and managed to make it four for the visitors. With just 1:40 on the clock, there was nothing Barça could do to provide a response, and so the first game of the season at the Palau Blaugrana ended in disappointment.