FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.06.2008 20:00

Barça B wins promotion (1-0)

Jordi Clos

Barça B has guaranteed their return to the Segona B league after their victory against Barbastro. Víctor Vázquez got the only goal of the game in a packed Miniestadi.

They only had to maintain the 0-2 advantage from the first leg to guarantee their return to the Segona B, but Barça B showed their strength and talent in a 1-0 victory before a nearly-full Miniestadi home crowd. After a shaky start, Barça B imposed themselves enough on the game to ensure their return. Víctor Vázquez’s goal was the icing on the cake in a season which has seen them as league champions and getting promoted after an impeccable play-off campaign.

Varied start

Barça B started off without resting on their laurels, playing fast attacking football. Barbastro stuck back and were waiting for a surprise counter-attack. Figueroa had a clear chance in the 7th minute, and both Vázquez and Dimas tried long shots, but to no avail. In the 19th minute, Oier pulled of a great save from a dangerous curving cross from Romero.

Barça B look stronger

Barça B then began to look stronger, and in the 26th minute, after a fast build-up, Dimas hit the woodwork. With most of the play now in Barbastro’s half, Guerra nearly beat Febles in a one-on-one in the 30th minute. This period of Barça dominance culminated in Víctor Vázquez’s shot from outside the area getting the only goal of the game in the 41st minute.

Last chances

Barbastro managed to push Barça B out of their area with a series of interruptions through fouls and yellow cards. An injured Víctor Vázquez had to be substituted after one of these fouls, to be substituted by Abraham. Barbastro had some chances, the clearest one falling to Busquets, who hit the crossbar in the 74th minute.

Final homage

During the last few minutes of the game, the fans in the Miniestadi audibly paid homage to the team who has finished the play-offs with a great record: 9 goals for and 0 against. Pep Guardiola’s boys have achieved what they set out to do at the beginning of the season. The coach will now leave the Miniestadi and enter Nou Camp through the main door.