1-0, Xavi (min.18)
2-0, Messi (min. 29)
3-0, Messi (min.45)
3-1, Güiza (min.58)
3-2, Nacho (min.60)
4-2, Gudjohnsen (min.63)
5-2, Eto'o (min.74)
FC Barcelona took a huge stride towards the final of the Copa del Rey after a spectacular victory against Getafe thanks to two fine goals from Lionel Messi and one each from Xavi, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Samuel Eto’o.
In a superb display in the first leg of the semi final, the Blaugrana produced some flowing
football and some stunning goals as Bernd Schuster’s side saw a brief comeback undone. The
first half belonged to Messi as the Argentinian forward produced a breath-taking goal that was
reminiscent of Diego Maradona in his prime and scored a second having already set up Xavi for the
opener. The visitors made things tense after the break as they pulled themselves back into
contention with two goals in three minutes, but Barça soon regained control and restored their
cushion.
Xavi breaks the deadlock
During a fairly even start to proceedings there was no evidence of the drama about to unfold.
Getafe began looking to attack and Javi Casquero registered the first shot on target after just
three minutes, but the home side’s stand-in stopper, Albert Jorquera was equal to the effort.
Rijkaard’s outfit then discovered their touch and soon began to dominate possession in
midfield and it soon bore fruit. In the 19th minute Messi supplied Xavi with a pass in the area and
the Terrassa-born midfielder span on the ball before clipping it into the far side of the net.
Goal of the season
Chances were at a premium after that opener until Messi produced his moment of magic. The
19-year-old picked up the ball, just before the half hour mark, in his own half and span away from
his markers before setting off towards the Getafe penalty area where he skipped past three more
defenders before rounding Luís García and slotting home from an acute angle. The goal reminded some
of Maradona’s strike in the high pressure World Cup quarter final against England in 1986.
Messi again
Messi was not finished there, however, and another piece of skill moments before the
half-time break saw Barça move into a three-goal lead. Deco cut in from the left of the area before
picking out the number 19 with a pass and, after leaving Alexis grounded, fired the ball into the
top right-hand corner of Getafe’s net.
Getafe comeback
The Blaugrana looked to be cruising, but Schuster’s team were prepared for a fightback.
Daniel Güiza pounced on a rebound to score, after Jorquera palmed Casquero’s free-kick away,
and within two minutes the gap was reduced even further. This time Güiza was the provider as his
low cross travelled behind the back-tracking Barça defence and Nacho arrived to drive the ball into
the goal via Gianluca Zambrotta’s back.
Bouncebackability
While the visitors looked to be back in the tie, FC Barcelona were preparing a comeback of
their own and stunned their opponents by netting a fourth soon after conceding. A corner from the
right was flicked on by Rafael Márquez and Gudjohnsen arrived to volley home from 12 yards out.
Goal number five arrived in the 74th minute when Alexis was exposed again as Eto’o span away
from him on the edge of the area before hammering the ball past Luís García.
The second leg in three weeks will, no doubt, still see Barça wanting to go out and attack,
but this first leg result has seen them take a huge stride towards booking their place in the final
against either Deportivo or Sevilla.
Barça coach Frank Rijkaard will celebrate his 100th game at Camp Nou since he took over at the club in 2003. During that time he has enjoyed great success, winning two league titles and the Champions League.
FC Barcelona's victory against Mallorca on Sunday has boosted morale among the squad as the Blaugrana increased their lead at the top of the table ahead of the Copa del Rey semi final against Getafe.
With 24 cup triumphs in their history, Barça have won the trophy the most times of any club, but
have not lifted it since 1998. In that season, triumph in the competition completed the domestic
double and the current side want to emulate that feat. Before considering the final, however, a
tough task lies ahead as Bernd Schuster's Getafe must be overcome. Like in the quarter finals, the
first leg is in Camp Nou and it is vital that Frank Rijkaard's side set themselves up with a good
result before the second game in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
Focus: Conscious of the threat posed by
Getafe, Rijkaard has demanded complete concentration from his players ahead of this crucial
fixture. The Dutch coach, who takes charge of his 100th match at Camp Nou, has again left out
Ronaldinho, who is continuing his personal fitness programme, as well as Ludovic Giuly and
Sylvinho, who are both rested. Thiago Motta, Iuliano Belletti and Edmílson are all absent with
injures. The two changes from the Mallorca squad are Oleguer and Santiago Ezquerro.
En route to the semi finals of the Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona have beaten Badalona, Alavés
and Real Zaragoza.
Back in the semis: Six years ago Barça reached the last four of the cup, but
failed to make it into the final as the team, coach by Carles Rexach, were beaten by Celta Vigo
after losing 3-1 in the opening in Balaidos.
The opposition: This season Getafe have enjoyed another fruitful campaign under
Schuster as they are in the top ten in the league and in the cup semi finals. The Madrid-based
outfit are battling for a place in Europe next season, rather than having to worry about becoming
embroiled in a relegation battle, as many had predicted. The club have already made history this
term by making into the semi finals of the Copa del Rey, having defeated Xerez, Valencia and
Osasuna on their way to this stage. The tournament represents Getafe's best chance for many years
to win the first major honour in the club's history and to make it into the UEFA Cup.
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