FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.02.2008 15:17

Ronaldinho decides it in La Romareda

Ronaldinho slotted home the penalty that gave Barça victory against Zaragoza in La Romareda. The Brazilian was on the pitch for 20 minutes and his contribution was decisive.

Ronaldinho came on in the 73rd minute at La Romareda to replace Giovani. Zaragoza and Barça had one goal apiece at the time and the Catalans were finding it hard to create the chances that could put them back in front. Something special was needed, and it came in the shape of Ronaldinho. The Brazilian was only on the pitch for twenty minutes but he turned the game around. One of the first times he touched the ball was to put through Thierry Henry and the Frenchman’s shot went only just over the bar.

Ronaldinho’s seventh goal in the League

In the 81st minute the referee blew for a penalty to Barcelona, and Ronaldinho didn’t think twice. As he usually does he shouldered the responsibility at a key point in the game. He hadn’t taken a penalty for more than two months but the Brazilian kept his cool and hit the perfect spot kick: he sent keeper César the wrong way and made it 1-2 to Barça. It was his seventh goal in the League.

His last was also a penalty, against Deportivo in the Camp Nou on 9 December, and equalised an initial strike by the Galician team. Barça ran out winners in that game 2-1. His goal against Zaragoza was even more decisive as it leaves Barça five points off the leader when only three games ago Real Madrid were ahead by nine.