FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.06.2010 19:54

Barca Atlètic win promotion!

Jordi Clos

An impeccable defensive display helped Barça Atlètic win promotion to the Second division this evening after a goalless draw at neighbours Sant Andreu to take their play off tie 1-0 on aggregate.

Eleven seasons after they dropped out of the Spanish Segunda A division, the reserve team are back, rounding off a great season with a final play off win over Sant Andreu. The team showed great maturity in this evening’s goalless draw – taking full advantage of their 1-0 win in the first leg.

Pressure

Luis Enrique’s young players didn’t let the pressure of the occasion at the start of the game get to them as the noisy local crowd cheered their team on. The coach had brought in the keeper Miño and striker Elvis, who’d scored twice against Sant Andreu in the league for this game and the visitors pounced on three defensive mistakes from their hosts early on.

Tense

The game was tense and chances were few and far between and only Rueda with a 37th minute free kick saved by Morales came at all close in the first half with Sant Andreu putting plenty of heart, but not much guile into the game.

Solid defending

Time was on Barca’s time and although Sant Andreu dominated possession at the start of the second half, Luis Enrique’s team were easily handling the pressure at the back and closing down any spaces to restrict their hosts attacking options. A big shout from the home crowd for a penalty by Gomez on Miguelez was the nearest that Sant Andreu came to drawing level, whilst Edu Oriol had a couple of chances for Barca on the break, In the end, the goal at the Mini Estadi last week that proved enough and the youngsters of the reserve team will be playing in the second division next season.