FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.05.2008 15:16

Good result in the Canary Islands (0-0)

Marc Guillén/Jaume Marcet

Barça B has got a scoreless draw away at El Castillo in the first leg of the first round of the play-off for promotion to the Third Division. Pep Guardiola’s men dominated the first half and had the best chances.

Barça B has got a good result away at El Castillo and now has to win in the Miniestadi to get through to the next round for promotion to the Third Division. A packed ground with 1,500 singing fans backing the home side saw Barça B dominate the first half but then sit back and have a tough time in the second half of a difficult game.

Even start

Neither side was able to dominate the opening exchanges, and attempts to build attacks from the back broke down on the edge of the opposing side’s area. In the 5th minute Víctor Sánchez was injured and replaced by Marc Valiente.

Barça pressure but no goals

Towards the end of the first half Barça B was obviously on top. El Castillo tried to continue playing the ball around but Barça B pushed them back and with Jeffren making incursions down the left flank, Pep Guardiola’s side had the best chances of the game.

Ten minutes before the break Abraham cut through the El Castillo defence with a through ball that left Guerra on his own. The striker fired in a powerful shot with his left foot.

Five minutes later Guerra again sliced through the El Castillo defence with fine ball for Abraham, who also had a strike from the edge of the area. This was followed up by Pedrito steaming down the right and firing in a shot which was fantastically saved by Hemian.

Second half with no football

If Barça B finished the first half on top with El Castillo at their mercy, at the start of the second the game changed completely. El Castillo used strength, pressure and numerous unpunished fouls in midfield to neutralise the Catalans. A very permissive referee meant that Barça B were unable to play their game and El Castillo had the best chances.

Two minutes after the restart veteran player Sarasúa sent a header onto the post and in the 27th minute Yoni, the Canary Island outfit’s leading goalscorer, cut back inside the box to pass to Dani, whose shot went wide. Víctor Vázquez tried to create something but the Catalans had no clear chances in a tough second half with little continuity in play.