Barca rivals faltered at Headquarters

BARCELONA - Barcelona's ambition to continue to strictly stick to its main rival Real Madrid should be delayed. It happened after the Blaugrana dijegal city rivals Espanyol in the Catalan derby ending 1-1, Monday (09/01/2012) early morning hrs.

Proper derby, duel contra Barcelona Espanyol also directly bring a fierce battle since the beginning of the fight. Espanyol are playing before the public in the stadium Estadio Cornella-El Prat immediately took the initiative to attack. Mauricio Pochettino's farm team even had time to make the Barca defense keteteran in the early matches.

New game entered the fourth minute, Espanyol immediately created two golden opportunities. Espanyol striker, Joan Verdu managed to take advantage of a cross with a header but still capable of Victor Valdes blocked just before the ball over the goal line. Verdu used a ball gag try to kick towards goal, but again no goal to fruition, because the ball had swept his shot past Gerard Pique before the goal line.

After creating such a surprise, Espanyol turn receives attack after attack launched by the retainer El Barca. Entering the 13th minute, Espanyol goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez fatal blunder when receiving feedback from the defender. As a result of too weak kick, the ball, Messi, who successfully secured a moment then release the feed is not wasted by Cesc Fabregas to score the opening goal.

However, unfortunately the referee disallowed the goal judge had earlier done Messi handball while controlling the ball. In addition annulled the goal, the referee also presented a yellow card for Messi. One minute later, Alexis Sanchez has a chance when you try to take advantage of imperfect feedback from Espanyol players. However, Sanchez failed struck the ball into the goal because it had fallen as a result of physical contact with Espanyol goalkeeper. Apes for Barca, the referee pointed to the spot no.

Barca are starting to show its dominance finally scored the opening goal in the 15th minute. This time, the referee disallowed a goal Fabregas not. The new quarterback is successfully imported from Arsenal to welcome Dani Alves cross with a header off a dammed Alvarez powerless. 1-0 to Barca.

Espanyol directly respond to these goals by increasing the tempo of the attack. Sergio Garcia has a chance to equalize a minute later. Unfortunately, his hard shot was dammed Valdes. Not long after, Thievy Bifouma also have to bite the finger after his shot from close range so still hit Eric Abidal for Barca goalkeeper while still being safe.

Barca are not satisfied only scored one goal Espanyol continue pressing defense. In the 28th minute, Andres Iniesta off hard kick in the penalty box but still dammed Alvarez.

Increasingly fierce battle to enter the last five minutes, Espanyol had a golden opportunity by Sergio Garcia. However, again his shot from close range was dammed Valdes. It is also experienced when his shot from Cesc Fabregas was off at close range. Score 1-0 to Barca's advantage lasted until halftime.

Entering the game the second interval, both Espanyol and Barcelona still continue to present the game fast and successive attacks. In the 49th minute, Barca opened up opportunities through Dani Alves, Pique receiving feedback. Unfortunately, the Brazilian international defender horizontal kick was still able to be driven Alvarez.

Alves actually successfully doubled the lead in the 58th minute. But the goal was disallowed because the referee first Alves caught offside trap before trick Alvarez and struck the ball into an empty goal.

Tighter battle enters last 10 minutes of the game, Espanyol who do not want to lose prestige continues to spread threats through quick counter-attack. Barca's defense constantly terrorized, Espanyol equalized finally successful when the game entered the 86th minute.

Alvaro Garcia reserve players who signed to replace Romaric in mid-game for Barca's success brings misfortune. Header header Thievy continued feedback Bifoum Valdes managed to conquer.

Score 1-1 to make the game more interesting in the last four minutes. Barca do not want the difference in points with Real Madrid widening, continued to launch sporadic attacks. But on the other sides, Espanyol is also not satisfied with just a draw and Barca continue to endanger the goal through quick counter-attack.

Entering four minutes in injury time, Barca claimed a penalty following a handball referee from Espanyol defender to block a shot when Pedro Rodriguez, who signed to replace Sanchez. Damn, the referee did not see the incident so as not to give a penalty. The result, until the fight was over Barca had to settle with equally strong score 1-1.

With this result, Barca failed to cut the distance to Madrid at the top of the standings. Additional collection points, one point to make Barca to 38 points or five points adrift of Real Madrid at the top. As for Espanyol, this result makes them go up one strip to the eighth position, which stood at 24 points.

Probable teams: 

Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Cristian Alvarez / Kiko Casilla (81 '); Amat, Moreno, R. Rodriguez, Dídac; Forlin, Romaric / Alvaro (65'); Weiss / Javi Lopez (46 '), Verdu, Thievy; Sergio Garcia

Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal; Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta; Cesc Fabregas / Keita (85 '), Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez / Pedro ( 72 ')

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