FC Barcelona Lassa v Ríos Renovables Zaragoza: The blaugranas have to settle for a draw (3-3)

Barça Lassa allowed two points to slip from their grasp on Friday in a game against Ríos Renovables Zaragoza. In front of 2,612 fans at the Palau Blagrana, the home side dominated throughout almost the whole match. The blaugranas took the lead on three separate occasions thanks to Ferrao and Dyego (2) but their lack of accuracy and Iván Bernard’s saves ended up costing them two points as the opposition drew two minutes from the end. However, the 3-3 draw keeps Barça Lassa in second place in the LNFS.

Zaragoza’s high press surprised Barça at first but from then on the home side adapted and moved the ball around with pace. Andreu Plaza’s side were playing well and Ferrao managed to open the scoring early on on behalf of his team following a corner routine involving the Brazilian and Joao Batista.

Dominant but pegged back

Barça Lassa looked to overload the oppostition on the wing and they managed to create chance after chance which kept opposition keeper Iván Bernard busy. The Barça onslaught was absolute but Zaragoza managed to level the scores through a slice of luck following a mistake from the blaugranas ending in a Joao Batista own goal.

The Catalans responded impressively and 60 seconds later Dyego finished from a corner to give Barça the lead again (2-1). The goal was followed by another piece of good news as Bateria made an appearance following four months out through injury.

The decisive player-keeper

The blaugranas started the second half slowly and Adri Ortengo drew Zaragoza level from a free kick. This goal reactivated the home team and they went on the attack. Bateria had to go off having hurt his neck, however, not long after Dyego scored for the fifth game in a row with a goal which re-established Barça’s lead.

Andreu Plaza’s team were looking for another strike which would secure victory but their inability to finish the opposition off gave them a chance. With seven minutes to go Zaragoza went with the player-keeper tactic and they got their rewards. Nano Modrego made the score 3-3 with a precise shot which left Barça with two minutes to find a winner. The Catalans also used a player-keeper but the tactic did not bring the goal the blaugranas were looking for, meaning they went home with one point instead of three.