In a great night of football, Atletico responded to the expectations by defeating the effective champion of League with a good game and, mainly, with goals. The red-and-white team stood on the field, searching pressure and possession of the ball. The slogan of Bianchi in offense was to operate the game by the sides, the speed of Petrov and the mobility of Torres and Kezman. Although a good beginning of the locals, Barça beat first when, in minute five, Eto´o took advantage of a defensive error to score the first goal of the match.

The fans wasn’t frightened off by the misfortune, and the team either: The answer of Atletico was close. Martín Petrov carried out a spectacular race by the left side and, after rising the bike and leave Márquez back away, sent a millimetric center that Fernando Torres shot into the net with an accurate header. Once again the prophecy of Torres like 'red-and-white beast’ appeared for Barça.

The player from Fuenlabrada materialized a great match, not only facing the goal, but also in the work under the shade, pressing the exit of the ball and throwing dangerous diagonals that opened spaces to Kezman. The fight after the goal was disputed in the middle of the field, but Luccin and Gabi were able to win the battle hiding the ball to Deco and Xavi. In the frist half an hour of the game Atletico would have been put with advantage in the score but the referee annulled a goal to Petrov alleging offside position.

The interval could serve Barça to recover of its wounds, if Atletico hadn’t come in whirlwind in search of the victory: Bianchi’s team took only a minute to put itself ahead in the score, when Kezman turned a splendid center of Maxi. Far from being satisfied of the result the red-and-white team harassed the area of Valdés with continuous arrivals while Barça, without reaction capacity, held the storm as it could. Maxi and Torres almost beat Valdes after a spectacular personal move in which the captain took the ball from the lime to the area drawing several adversaries, but the post and the skill of Barça’s goalkeeper prevented that Atletico increased its advantage.

As usual at Calderon stadium the surprise was close to arrive: Pablo Ibañez saw red card after he knocked down Eto´o. With ten players, Bianchi gave Garcia Calvo entrance to hold the central position of the defence, although he maintained in the field the two forwards with clear intention to look for the fast break that sentenced the match. With numerical superiority Barça look for the tie with more heart than head, and they run into a defensive wall and they hardly achieved to worry Leo Franco.


Photo: J. A. Sirvent