14.11.2010 13:46

Barça Alusport go top (1-2)

Llorenç Tarrés

The new sponsorship deal between FC Barcelona and Alusport couldn’t have got off to a better start, as the team beat Inter Movistar to take top spot in the Divisió d’Honor for the first time this season.

Goals from Jordi Torras and Igor gave Marc Carmona’s men the points and the team chalked up their seventh win on the run with a great defensive play that overcame both a top rival and a noisy and full hall at Alcalá.

Electric start

Barça came out and dominated the early exchanges as the game got off to an electric start with plenty of shots from both teams. Saad and Lin had their side’s first chances, but Luis Amado was up to the task and began what was to be a defining duel between the keepers as Cristian again put in a great performance, starting with a stop from Betao, who led the Inter attacks, but was generally well policed by the Barça defence.

Wilde then hit the post and a good move between Betao and Gabriel ended with a shot by the latter as the game hotted up with both teams going all out for the opening goal. It looked as if Igor would get it when a defensive mix up left him free on goal, but his attempt went wide.

Torras on target

Inter’s skilful trio of Marquinho, Borja and Gabriel kept the Barça defence on alert and Torres put them one up. pouncing on a defensive mistake by Betao from a throw in.

Right from the restart, Inter came close to getting an equaliser, but Juanra hit the post and then handled the ball into the net. The goal was disallowed, but Barça had been warned. Now it was Cristian who had to be at his best as the hosts flew at Barça in their search for the equaliser. Saad made a great block from Borja and Wilde steadied the defence so that the team reached half time still one up.

Defence on top

Betao again came close with two early second half attempts, but Barça Alusport held firm as the Madrid team’s onslaught continued, with Cristian an inspiration and a solid guarantee once again. Wilde came close to making it 0-2 as he rounded off a counter, but almost immediately, Inter got their goal, as Gabriel fired home after a quick break from Betao.

The home fans weren’t given much time to celebrate though, as soon after the goal a nicely worked move from a corner found Igor at the back post to make it 1-2.

Barça Alusport now sat back and forced Inter into long range efforts, whilst constantly posing a threat on the counter themselves. The refs let Luis Amado off a clear red for a hand ball outside the box just before the hosts’ coach threw on Juanra as outfield keeper.

However, Barça Alusport defended perfectly and Inter were only able to create a chance when Juanra hit the post- This was a win that could end up meaning much more than just the three points, but those points are enough to put them top of the table for the first time this season.