FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.11.2008 17:48

Hard-fought victory (4-2)

Cristina Collado

Barça Mobicat secured maximum points with victory over MRA Navarra, but the game was a lot more complicated than the eventual winning margin may suggest as the visitors stayed in touch throughout.

In their ninth league game of the current campaign, the Blaugrana netted four times to move into third place, level on points with Inter Movistar and just one point behind leaders Elpozo Murcia. On Saturday evening, three more points were added in the Palau Blaugrana against a team that made things very complicated. New signing Carlos Muñoz watched his new side triumph from the stands.

Good start

MRA Navarra arrived in the Catalan capital hoping to put an end to a run of poor results that had seen them not win away in their last four attempts. With that aim the visitors started brightly and looked to take control of the encounter by taking the game to Barça. Lukaian was one of their key players as he stood out and created several good chances.

It was the away team that took the lead as their tactics paid off with a counter-attack that saw them speed up the court before Joel beat Paco Sedano in the home team's goal.

Ahead at the break

The goal lifted Barça Mobicat and they bounced back by playing MRA at their own game. Jordi Sánchez went close to levelling matters before the away side showed that they were still in the game with former Blaugrana star Dani Fernández testing Sedano. Fernández contribution to Barça had not been forgotten by the fans and there was a placard thanking him in the stands.

In the twelfth minute Saad Assis eventually made the breakthrough for home team with a great left-footed shot that flew in to leave Juanito with no chance. That goal saw the hosts begin to thrive and it was no surprise when four minutes later they took the lead through Fernandao in a move that saw the number six net from close range.

Own goal

The start of the second half brought Barça back down to earth with a bump as Chico put through his own net to leave his side having to start again. Javi Rodríguez and Saad went close to restoring the hosts' lead, but it was Juan Carlos López that eventually managed to save Chico's blushes as he scored with 27 minutes gone.

in the 34th minute the game was put beyond MRA's reach as Saad found Jordi Sánchez and his rasping effort beat Juanito and left Barça able to see out the remaining time without any worries.