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25 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Miguel shines as Valencia hold Barcelona at the Nou Camp

Barcelona 1-1 Valencia

Valencia showed their title credentials by earning a hard-fought point at the Nou Camp with a 1-1 draw against champions Barcelona, who returned to the top of La Liga.

Andres Iniesta’s second half equaliser cancelled out the visitor’s early David Villa goal.

Portuguese international Deco took his place in the Barcelona midfield alongside Edmilson and Xavi, but the former Porto man had a frustrating evening, despite having several attempts on goal for the home side.

For Los Ches, Miguel performed excellently at right-back, where he often found himself faced with Fifa World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, and La Liga’s top goalscorer of last season, Samuel Eto’o.

The home side passed the ball well early on, but were restricted to long-range shots by an organised Valencia defence. The visitors then grew into the game, and were outstanding throughout the first period.

Miguel assist

David Villa put Valencia ahead after seventeen minutes with a brilliantly worked goal, which owed much to Miguel’s contribution on the right wing. Brazilian midfielder Edu played in the former Benfica man down the right, and Miguel’s pinpoint ball to the back post was prodded home by Villa.

Another great crossfield pass from Miguel found Vicente inside the Barca area, and the winger tested Barca keeper Valdes with a low shot as Valencia’s confidence on the ball threatened to bring them a second.

Xavi and Deco both saw hopeful efforts miss the target before Ronaldinho’s free-kick was pushed over the bar by Canizares as Barca struggled to get in behind the strong Valencia defence.

Deco again registered attempts from outside the box before Villa almost got his second after brilliantly making space inside the area, but his finished thumped the post. Deco then caught a sweet volley on his right foot, which was seen wide by Canizares.

The champions emerged from the break a better side, and were level after just four minutes of the second period. Ronaldinho’s ball into the box was nicely headed down by Eto’o for substitute Iniesta to thump home.

Deco goes close

Deco then had his best effort on goal, curling a beautiful chipped shot towards the top corner, only for Canizares to claw the ball away. Shortly afterwards, Miguel almost headed into his own net when deflecting a cross wide as Barca began to put the visitors under severe pressure for the first time in the game.

Valencia continued to drop deeper and deeper, and Dutch left-back Giovanni van Bronckchorst volleyed wide, before Xavi’s effort whistled past the post.

Barca’s final chance to win the game was possibly their best, and fell to substitute Javier Saviola, who was making his first appearance for the first team in over two years. Deco fed Eto’o on the left, and the Cameroonian’s ball into the box was met by the onrushing Argentine, but his weak connection made the save easy for Canizares.

Valencia brought on former Sporting midfielder and Portuguese international Hugo Viana in injury time, and ultimately managed to run down the clock and leave Catalonia with a valuable point.

Champions League football awaits both sides in the upcoming week, with Barca travelling to Germany to meet Werder Bremen, and Valencia entertaining Italian side Roma at the Mestalla.

Barcelona:
Valdes, Zambrotta, van Bronckhorst, Marquez, Puyol, Edmilson (Iniesta, 45), Deco, Xavi, Messi (Saviola, 85), Ronaldinho, Eto’o
Yellow Cards: Marquez (34)

Valencia:
Canizares, Miguel, Moretti, Albiol (Navarro, 76), Ayala, Albelda (Viana, 90), Edu, Joaquin, Vicente, Joaquin, Silva, Villa (Angulo, 78)
Yellow Cards: Albelda (20), Moretti (39), Joaquin (93)

Goals:
[0-1] Villa, 17
[1-1] Iniesta, 49