FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.04.2009 20:29

Reserves salvage a point against Alzira (1-1)

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Barça managed to salvage a point at Alzira after the Valencia outfit had taken the lead. The draw means the Catalans are still in with a chance of promotion to 2nd Division A.

The game didn’t get off to a good start for Barça’s reserves as within the first quarter of an hour Alzira had taken the lead with a goal by Gerardo Masini. The striker fired home a cross from midfielder Cristobal.

Reaction after the goal

The goal forced the Catalans to react and they took control of the game. With half an hour on the clock striker Benja almost pulled his side level but a great save by home keeper Paco Fernández meant that Alzira went into the break still one to the good.

Barça equalise

Luis Enrique made changes to his line-up for the second half to use more direct tactics, bringing on Rueda and Jeffren for Goran Maric and Oriol Romeu.

Barça’s greater attacking strength soon brought a result as Victor Sánchez got the equaliser halfway through the second half with a great free kick from 35 yards.

Close finish

The goal got Barça thinking about coming from behind to win the game and they kept the Valencia outfit pinned in its own half, but constant breaks down the wings didn’t bring the goal the Catalans were looking for. With three minutes left Alzira gave Barça a shock when Sergio Sánchez hit the post.

In the end the points were shared, a result which means Barça Atlètic remain in with a chance of promotion though they can’t afford to let more points go begging. As for Alzira, the point means that they are just about relegated and most likely to be in the Third Division next season.