FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.05.2008 22:18

Barça beaten in first game (5-2)

Sònia de Alba

Barça Senseit have been beaten in the first game of the semi-final series of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Sala by an Interviú side that dominated the game from the start.

Paco Sedano was busy in the Blaugrana goal in the opening minutes, but his side were unable to hold out against a determined home team for longer than 14 minutes when Marquinho scored the first goal of the evening. Along with Schumacher, he was to be one of the main men in an entertaining encounter.

Interviú continued to press and test the Barça defence and it was no surprise when they finally took the lead. Three minutes after netting the first, however, Schumacher doubled the tally.

The Blaugrana coach, Marc Carmona, quickly called for a time-out to change his team around, but they were forced to suffer more close shaves before the half-time interval. Sedano did well to deny Marquinho after he had been set up by Liniares.

Changes made by the visitors were not effective enough with Fernandao looking out of sorts in a game that he was using as a test of his fitness.

Chico and Dani Fernández looked to reduce the arrears after Interviú had gone two up, but were unable to find a way to goal and immediately after the restart things became even worse.

Some 38 seconds into the second period and Barcelona were three goals behind when Neto netted his second and then had to be replaced after injuring himself during the celebrations. Schumacher ensured that the hosts continued down the same path with a fourth and three minutes Joan Linares netted number five.

Barça continued to work hard and the team refused to give in despite the deficit. Dani Fernández reduced the arrears with just a minute to go and then PC ensured that more pride was restored with another in the final seconds.

The second game of the series takes place on Friday in Barcelona at 22:00 in the Palau Blaugrana, before the third match is back in Madrid on Monday.