BARCA MISS OUT
Barcelona missed the chance to go three points clear at the top of
the Primera Liga summit on Wednesday after being held to a 1-1 draw
by struggling Real Betis.
The match was the re-arranged fixture from before Christmas, which
was postponed due to Barcelona's involvement in the FIFA World Club
Championship in Japan.
Barca's participation in that tournament ended in disappointment
after they lost to Brazilian side Internacional in the final, and
there was more frustration in store for Frank Rijkaard's side in
Seville on Wednesday.
They had climbed to the top of the Primera Liga table at the
weekend with a 3-0 win over Gimnastic Tarragona, and could have
moved three points clear of Sevilla and Real Madrid with a victory
over Betis.
But a first-half goal from Betis striker Robert put Barca on the
back foot, and in the end the reigning Spanish champions were
indebted to Rafael Marquez's 61st-minute equaliser just to salvage
a point.
Betis, belying their lowly league placing, were much the quicker of
the two sides out of the blocks and Rafael Sobis (twice) and Marcos
Assuncao both tested Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes from distance
in the opening 10 minutes.
The Catalan visitors had to wait until the 12th minute for their
first serious effort on goal, with Andres Iniesta firing in a shot
from outside the box which was saved by Antonio Doblas.
Both teams continued to look for the opening goal and Betis
defender Melli had a chance to give his side the lead in the 25th
minute, but he was unable to get his header on target after meeting
Assuncao's inswinging corner.
Javier Saviola, who had netted seven goals in his last four Barca
appearances, then looked to continue his rich scoring streak but
his shot from the right-hand side of the area went wide.
The home side were back on the attack soon after that though, and
they were rewarded for their promising start with the opening goal
of the game in the 37th minute.
An Assuncao corner from the left was met by Victoriano Nano and his
header in turn found Robert who was able to nod home from close
range.
That goal put Betis on top at the break, but Barca came out after
the interval in determined mood and Thiago Motta saw a shot blocked
before Ronaldinho saw his free-kick from the edge of the box saved
by Doblas.
The visitors did not have to wait much longer to get back on level
terms however, with Marquez netting just after the hour-mark.
The Mexican defender was quickest to react to Deco's corner and he
was able to guide his header past Doblas and into the back of the
net.
Barca coach Rijkaard quickly shuffled his pack after that goal,
replacing Saviola with Eidur Gudjohnsen up front.
However, it was Betis who had the better of the chances in the
closing stages, with Fernandez Fernando and substitute Martin Dani
both firing wide from close range.
Dani's miss came deep into injury-time at the end of the game,
spurning the chance to net what would surely have been a crucial -
and memorable - winner against their high-flying visitors.
