Barça 1-1 Jaén: Matheus salvages a point for the blaugranes

Barça came up against a defensively disciplined Jaén who heled them to a 1-1 draw in the Palau Blaugrana in the final game for Jesús Velasco's team before the upcoming Elite Round of the Champions League. The visitors took the lead early on in the game and the home side had to wait until three minutes before the end of the contest to find the equaliser. 

Bad start 

The game could not have started worse for the home side with Jaén taking the lead after just three minutes. A cross from Pablo Taborda took a deflection off Barça player Matheus to hand the visitors the opening goal of the game. The Andalusians surged forward looking for a second but Barça keeper Miquel Feixas made more than one vital stop to keep his side in the contest. 

As the game went on Barça found their rhythm and this time it was the turn of Jaén keeper Espíndola to shine with Ferrao and Catela going close for Barça. 

Reward for persistence 

Into the second half and the chances came and went for both side. Both goalkeepers again showed their abilities. Finally, with just three minutes of the game remaining, Barça coach Velasco decided to sacrifice his keeper and the gamble paid off with Matheus firing home to level the scores. 

Both teams had opportunities to claim the winner but once again the goalkeepers stood firm and the two teams had to be happy with a share of the points in the Palau Blaugrana. 

Match stats 

Barça, 1
Jaén, 1

Barça: Miquel Feixas, Antonio, Sergio Lozano, Matheus, Sergio González -starting five-, Dídac, André Coelho, Adolfo, Dyego, Ferrao, Marcenio, Catela.
Jaén: Espindola, Taborda, Menzeguez, Chino, Alan Brandi -starting five-, Manu, César, Attos, Renato, Mati Rosa, Nem, Míchel.
Goals: 0-1, Matheus (o.g., min. 3); 1-1, Matheus (min. 37).