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Match
Marcador del partit
- Date: Saturday, 16 Aug
- Competition: ???label.competicio4???
- Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Resultat:
- FC Barcelona: 2
- Boca Juniors: 1
Match report
Match Report
Magical win (2-1)
Roger Bogunyà
When the title looked like it was heading for Boca in the 92nd minute, up stepped Puyol and Eto'o, who turned the game around in three magical minutes; 180 seconds which gave FC Barcelona its 33rd Joan Gamper trophy.
Like all the greatest magicians, FC Barcelona saved the best trick for last. In an electrifying
finish, the blaugranas managed to turn round a game that was quickly running away from them and
already into added time. Up to that moment they had been unable to impose their style on the game
and Boca were able to play the counter attack to perfection.
It was Puyol who hit the equaliser in the 92nd minute, cancelling out Viatri’s opening
goal. It looked like the game would be a repeat of the 1-1 draw played out by the two teams in 2003
when the Gamper trophy was decided on penalties. However, Eto'o still had something to say and, in
the 95th minute, he completed the comeback by scoring the winner for the home team.
Sergio – off the bar
The game started slowly with a lot of stops. FC Barcelona kept possession but Boca, well
organised in defence, were the more comfortable side. But the Argentinians still looked to attack
with passes into space for Palermo and Noir, but without any success.
The first half saw both teams apparently content to play safe. There was only one shot of
conviction which saw Sergio’s long range effort beat Caranta but come back off the bar. There
was a lack of understanding from the Barça players in an eleven which comprised only two players
who started the game against Wisla – Márquez and Henry.
Same dynamic, same crossbar
The restart saw a number of changes with Guardiola bringing on four of the eleven subs
allowed – Puyol, Abidal, Jeffren and Pedro. Boca were not to be outdone and made five
substitutions of their own. However, the first few minutes of this half looked pretty much like the
first. Boca even had a similar scoring chance with Viatri striking the same woodwork as Sergio. It
was only the first warning.
Viatri puts Boca aheag
Guardiola made four more substitutions in the 62nd minute. He had to find the fluidity and
understanding lacking in Barça’s game but the introduction of Xavi, Iniesta, Vázquez and
Eto'o, which meant a change from 4-3-3 to 3-4-3, didn’t have the desired effect. The men from
Buenos Aires, however, were getting closer and closer to Pinto’s goal until Viatri finally
beat the Barça keeper in a one-on-one inside the area in the 72nd minute.
Improving with time
As can happen, the goal spurred Barça on and, though a goal down with only fifteen minutes
remaining, they began to play their best football. Iniesta had three chances in five minutes to
equalise but pulled his shots. Barça attacked down the wings with speed and played quick triangles.
Their chances came and the crowd cheered them on.
Puyol and Eto'o turn the score around
The equaliser finally came from a corner in the 92nd minute when Puyol headed into the top
corner. The best, however, was yet to come in a pulsating finish. Firstly, Cardozo had a one-on-one
situation with Pinto, which the keeper saved.
The ensuing kick out from the keeper was the origin of the winning goal - Eto'o heading home
a Xavi cross from the right. Two goals in three minutes and euphoria in the stands as FC Barcelona
won their 33rd Gamper trophy.
Preview
Goals galore
So far this summer, Barça have scored 29 goals in their 6 matches in Scotland, Italy, the USA and in the Camp Nou against Wisla. Almost 5 goals a match!
Ready for the off
Vanessa Forns
FC Barcelona and Boca Juniors meet tonight in the 43rd Joan Gamper Trophy (kick-off 10 pm, live on Barça TV, Barça TV Online, TV3 and TVE). The Barça players will be looking for a repeat of last Wednesday’s good performance against Wisla.
Football returns to the Camp Nou tonight just four days after the convincing 4-0 Champions League
win against Wisla Krakow. The team have started the season strongly but need to prove themselves
against one of the legendary sides of South American football.
A fresh beginning
With Barça now firm favourites to qualify for the CL group
stage, the fans will be looking forward to the match which has signalled the start of the Barça
season for the last 43 years. At the same time, tonight’s game will be the starting point for
a new project under new coach Pep Guardiola. Despite Wednesday’s CL qualifier, the Joan
Gamper tournament is still very much the starting point of the season for most fans.
Alves and Cáceres out
Guardiola will be without Dani Alves, who damaged his shoulder in last Wednesday’s
match, and Martín Cáceres (right leg). In comes David Córcoles, who was flown back from Las Palmas,
where he was due to play for Barça Atlètic.
Boca in forma
Boca have travelled to Barcelona without the injured Rodrigo Palacio or
former Barça star Juan Román Riquelme, who – together with Messi - is with the Argentina
squad in the Olympic Games. Boca are flying high at the moment having just won the first match of
the ’Apertura’ tournament as well as the first leg of the South American Cup
Winners’ Cup.
Match Links
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Squad list
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FCB coach: pre-match press conference
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FCB coach: Post-match comments
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FCB players: Post-match comments