FCBARCELONA.CAT

12.04.2009 13:41

Seeded in the play-offs (0-7)

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Barça has won an important victory against Manacor which means they are now mathematically assured of being seeded in the play-offs. Javi Rodríguez, Fernandao (3), Carlos and PC (2) scored the goals.

A lot was at stake for both teams. Fisiomedia Manacor wanted three points to get away from the bottom of the table, while Marc Carmona’s men were seeking to stay in the race for second spot and get a direct berth in the play-offs as a seeded team.

After an evenly balanced first half, Barcelona were able to overcome their attacking frailties and bombard the opposition goal. The final part of the game was crucial, as the home side’s five-man attack was nullified by the Barça defence and the Catalans then took advantage of gaps at the back to score five in the last seven minutes to gain a convincing yet hard fought win.

Just one goal

In the first half the two sides were evenly balanced. Barça Mobicat were unable to find the final pass until the 18th minute when Javi Rodríguez scored from a direct free-kick. Even then the Catalans were finding it hard to get into the game while Fisiomedia Manacor kept pushing forward only to run up against the solid Barça defence. The teams went into the break with the scoreboard reading 0-1.

Goals roll in

Barça showed a different side to their game in the second half. Their attacking play improved significantly and their defensive performance remained at its high level as they took control of the match. In the 26th minute Fernandao scored the visitors’ second which forced the home side to switch to all out attack. Seven minutes later the goals started to roll in.

Fisiomedia Manacor’s five-man attack with a goalkeeper/outfield player plus having two players on a red card (Glaubert and Beto) proved decisive. Carlos made it 0-3 before Fernandao added the fourth. The same player then added two more in a row to round off a great morning for him. The Majorca outfit’s heads slumped and in the last few seconds PC scored his second and Barça’s seventh.