26 February 2006, by Sean Gillen

Barcelona end perfect week on a high

Zaragoza 0-2 Barcelona

Late goals from Ronaldinho and Henrik Larsson gave a tired Barcelona the perfect end to a great week as the champions beat Real Zaragoza at La Romareda.

Zaragoza had enjoyed good results against the Champions this season, winning 4-2 in the Spanish Cup and managing a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp in the league earlier on in the season.

Portuguese star Deco played the full game in midfield but the match was a huge disappointment. Lionel Messi played a nice one-two with Deco before finding the side netting with his weaker right foot and Zaragoza striker Ewerthon’s shot was tipped over by Victor Valdes as a dull first half produced few chances.

Both sides continued to be restricted to long-range efforts in the second half with Samuel Eto’o shooting well wide for Barca and Cani’s effort comfortably saved by Valdes.

Shameful chants

It was then that an already poor game turned sour as striker Eto’o threatened to walk off the pitch due to racist abuse directed at the Cameroonian by the Zaragoza fans. After words from teammate Ronaldinho and coach Frank Rijkaard, Eto’o agreed to continue as announcements were made over the loudspeakers in the stadium for the chanting to stop.

A minute later and Barcelona won themselves a penalty when a goal-bound effort from Brazilian Edmilson was cleared off the line by the hand of Zaragoza midfielder Albert Celades. The former Barcelona and Real Madrid man was sent off before Ronaldinho sent Cesar the wrong way to give Barca the lead in the 79th minute.

The champions soon doubled their lead when Eto’o, who was disgracefully booed for the rest of the match by large sections of the home crowd, crossed from the right for substitute Henrik Larsson to finish from close range.

The win moves Barca nine points ahead of 2nd place Valencia and ten points ahead of Real Madrid, who are in 3rd place. Madrid play Mallorca away on Sunday, while in-form Valencia are at home to Getafe.

On paper, this looked a difficult game for Barca and for nearly 80 minutes dropped points looked on the cards, but their quality shone through, despite the shameful actions of sections of the home crowd.


Zaragoza:
Cesar, Alvaro, Toledo (Cuartero, 81), G.Milito, Ponzio, Celades, Zapater, Oscar (Miranda, 81), Cani, Ewerthon, D.Milito
Yellow Cards: D.Milito, 83
Red Cards: Celades, 78

Barcelona:
Valdes, Belletti, Marquez, Puyol, Sylvinho, Edmilson, Motta (van Bommel, 54), Deco, Messi (Larsson, 70), Ronaldinho (Iniesta, 86), Eto’o
Yellow Cards: None

Goals:
[1-0] Ronaldinho pen, 79
[2-0] Larsson, 82