FCBARCELONA.CAT

06.01.2010 14:51

Cup history invites optimism

Pau Ramírez

Recent Cup history favours a Barça comeback in the return leg in Sevilla. Three years ago, Barça went through to the semi-finals after losing the first leg against Zaragoza in the Camp Nou.

On 31st January 2007, Zaragoza (featuring Gabriel Milito and Gerard Piqué from the current Barça squad) took the lead in the quarterfinal tie thanks to a goal from Uruguayan star Diogo, who out-jumped the Barça defence to a corner kick in the 78th minute.

Cold and wet

Just like this Tuesday, the day of the first leg in Barcelona was cold and wet, which explains the sparse crowd of 31,000 spectators. Eto'o missed the game through injury and Barça were unable to find a way past César in the Zaragoza goal.

Barça attack in Zaragoza

The return leg was a different story. Manager Frank Rijkaard surprised everyone with an attacking 3-4-3 line-up that had the right effect almost immediately.

Xavi and Iniesta seal the comeback

In the 19th minute, Xavi combined with Márquez to fire past César and equalize. Just seven minutes later, Andrés Iniesta finished off the comeback after pouncing on a rebound in the goal area.

Piqué almost scores

However, Zaragoza continued to press hard and with 20 minutes to go, Gerard Piqué almost scored from a free kick taken by Aimar. The final 15 minutes were hotly contested by both sides and there could easily have been more goals. Finally, Barça won the tie – the only Cup tie the Club has won on aggregate after losing the first leg in the Camp Nou.