FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.04.2010 09:14

Barça wary of history against strugglers

David Puig

FC Barcelona will not be taking anything for granted against Xerez on Saturday as history shows that teams that have been struggling to stay up have often caused a surprise at Camp Nou in recent seasons.

The game maybe being billed as David against Goliath but that does not mean that the Blaugrana can expect to have everything their own way as games against Real Betis, Real Oviedo and Osasuna have shown. Xerez will have little to lose when they head north for the encounter and it is that which has caught Barça out on previous occasions.

Osasuna double

Osasuna have stunned FC Barcelona in two matches at Camp Nou in the last few years with one notable encounter coming last term against the Catalan treble-winners. While Barça were celebrating winning the title the Pamplona-based outfit took all three points with a 0-1 win that was made even worse for the hosts by the red card that debutant Marc Muniesa received. Walter Pandiani netted the only goal of the game after 26 minutes for the team that lay in 18th place in the table.

Eight years ago Osasuna recorded the same result when Miguel Ángel Lotina was in charge of the visitors. Again battling to maintain their place in the top flight the Navarro side left with a 0-1 victory over Carles Rexach’s Barça outfit thanks to a goal from Alfredo.

Betis title blow

Barça were league leaders, sitting two points above Real Madrid, when they hosted Real Betis for the 34th game of the 2006-07 season. The Andalucian outfit were 15th in the table and desperate for points to ensure they stayed up. Ronaldinho put the home team ahead, but in the closing moments Rafael Sobis levelled matters. The Blaugrana were overtaken at the top and a month later Madrid were crowned champions.

Oviedo win

On May 27, 2001 Real Oviedo visited Camp Nou lying in 17th place in the table and just one points above the drop zone. Radomir Antic, who would go on to coach Barça, oversaw a 0-1 win for the Asturians as Jaime netted the only goal of the game five minutes before the break. The defeat left Rexach’s team in sixth place and four points away from the Champions league places and no less than 17 points behind leaders Real Madrid. Barça went on to finish fourth while Oviedo were unable to avoid the drop.