10 April 2006, by Sean Gillen

Deco creativity pushes Barcelona nearer title

Racing Santander 2-2 Barcelona

Barcelona edged closer to retaining their La Liga title with a draw in difficult conditions at El Sardinero. Real Madrid’s drew 1-1 at home to Real Sociedad meaning that Barca maintained their 11-point lead over their fierce rivals at the top of the table.

Barca rested Ronaldinho for the match, which was played in heavy rain during the first half, and earned a point thanks to goals from Henrik Larsson and Samuel Eto’o.

Ronaldinho’s absence put more of the creative pressure on Portuguese International Deco, and the former Porto man had a decent game in the middle of the pitch, and provided a good goal threat from midfield.

The first opportunity went Barca’s way, with Henrik Larsson missing in the 12th minute when Deco’s deflected free-kick fell to the Swede, but his finish was saved by Racing goalkeeper Dudu Awat. Larsson would put the champions ahead soon after though, latching onto a good throughball from Mark van Bommel and calmly slotting the ball past Awat in the 18th minute.

The home side responded immediately, and shocked Barca with two goals in three minutes as the Catalans looked disorganised at the back. First, striker Antonito turned away from young defender Rodri to level for Racing, then a long ball saw Serrano beat the off-side trap to give them the lead.

Barca took a while to recover their composure, but did equalise not long after the half-hour mark when Ludovic Giuly’s great work on the right wing saw him cut the ball back for Eto’o, who finished clinically.

Deco hits woodwork

There were to be no more goals in the game, but Deco went very close twice for Los Cules. More good build-up play involving Giuly and Eto’o resulted in the ball breaking for the former Porto man inside the box, but the post denied him a 6th goal of the season. Deco then shot just wide with a beautifully struck half-volley.

Both sides were more organised in the second half, resulting in less mistakes and fewer goalmouth opportunities. Barca had Carles Puyol sent off for a second yellow card after a deliberate block on Racing’s Felipe Melo, and the game fizzled out into a draw.

The results from this weekend leave Barca needing just 3 wins from their remaining 6 games to guarantee the title. Frank Rijkaard’s men will be hoping to wrap up the title as soon as possible, so that they can turn their attentions fully to winning the Champions League and completing a historic double.


Racing:
Awat, Lozano, Ayoze, Pinillos, Moraton, Abella (Tomas, 82), Vitolo, F.Melo, Mata (Raul, 89), Serrano, Antonito (Pinilla, 72)
Yellow Cards: Moraton (10), F.Melo, (14), Vitolo (40)

Barcelona:
V.Valdes, Belletti (Gabri, 55), Sylvinhio, Puyol, Rodri (Edmilson, 68), van Bommel, Iniesta, Deco, Giuly (M.Lopez, 75), Larsson, Eto’o
Yellow Cards: Belletti (52), Puyol (57, 90)
Red Cards: Puyol (90)

Goals:
[0-1] Larsson, 18
[1-1] Antonito, 19
[2-1] Serrano, 22
[2-2] Eto’o, 32