20 February 2006, by Sean Gillen

Barcelona warm up for Chelsea with five-goal thumping

Barcelona 5-1 Real Betis

Portuguese star Deco returned to the Barcelona line-up as the Champions hammered an unlucky Betis at the Nou Camp to maintain their 7-point lead over arch rivals Real Madrid in La Liga.

Having lost their last two league games and watched Real beat Alaves earlier in the day to cut their lead, Barca were delighted to welcome back Deco as well as Fifa World Player of the year Ronaldinho as they warmed up for their midweek Champions League clash with Chelsea.

Barcelona went ahead in the 16th minute when a flowing move involving Ronaldinho resulted in Henrik Larsson tapping in a Samuel Eto’o cross. Barca had chances to double their lead shortly afterwards, with Ronaldinho brilliantly setting up Larsson for the Swede to head wide and Betis ‘keeper Toni Doblas saving well from Eto’o.

Betis caused the home side plenty of problems in a hugely exciting first half and almost equalised when some neat build up play involving Dani saw midfielder Arzu put through on goal but Valdes saved well.

Barcelona then scored twice in five minutes with Betis defender Melli scoring two own goals before half time. After attempting to intercept a Ronaldinho through ball, only to divert the ball past Dobals, Melli then deflected a free-kick from the Brazilian superstar into his own net after 33 minutes.

Deco deftness

Striker Dani went close again for Betis before Portuguese star Deco reminded Barca fans what they had been missing when he played a short corner with Ronaldinho before finding Samuel Eto’o with a beautifully weighted ball, only for the Cameroon striker to fire over from 5 metres.

Ronaldinho scored his second in the 58th minute when Betis ‘keeper Doblas misread the Brazilian’s free-kick and could only parry the ball into his own net.

Betis scored a well-deserved consolation when winger Joaquin deceived Victor Valdes by bending his free-kick round the Barca wall and into Valdes’ near post. The side from Seville continued to press for more goals and Edu and Varela had chances well saved by Valdes before Varela tested the Barca ‘keeper again from long range.

Former Porto man Deco went close for Barca when he curled a right-foot shot just wide before Argentine wonder-kid Lionel Messi rounded off the night in the 84th minute, scoring at the second attempt after Doblas saved the substitute’s initial effort.

After an inconsistent spell, Barca will be delighted to be back on track but Deco and company will need to be far less generous defensively if they are to progress past Chelsea and avenge their defeat in last season’s Champions League tie against the English champions.

Barcelona:
Valdes, Oleguer, Puyol, Sylvinho, Belletti (Gabri, 64), Edmilson, Iniesta (Motta, 68), Deco, Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Larsson (Messi, 76)
Yellow Cards: Iniesta (21), Belletti (55), Motta (78)

Betis:
Doblas, O.Lopez, Melli, Juanito, L.Fernandes (Varela, 45), Arzu, Rivera, Joaquin, Edu, Tardelli (Robert, 45), Dani
Yellow Cards: Fernandez (21), Rivera (79)

Goals:
[1-0] Larsson, 16
[2-0] Melli o.g, 29
[3-0] Melli o.g, 34
[4-0] Ronaldinho, 58
[4-1] Joaquin, 61
[5-1] Messi, 84