Valencia (2-2) Barça

Valencia Stop Barcelona Wins

Roger Bogunyà

Messi put Barça ahead in the 23rd minute, but two goals from Valencia before half time turned the score around. A goal from Henry near the end of the game gave Barça a golden point and keeps them firmly at the top.

Without being the best game of the season, Barça came away from Mestalla with a point. Barça looked less comfortable than usual, having problems creating moves. Nevertheless, a brilliant move led to Messi making it 0-1, but then just three minutes from the end of the first half Valencia were on top.

The Blaugranes began to find their usual form in the second half, despite not getting any great chances at goal. Henry, who had come on at the beginning of the second half, managed to make things all square. Barça came away from Valencia with a point which will enable them to come out onto the pitch at
Santiago Bernabéu as league leaders.

Messi strikes first

The start of the game was quietly intense, but the temperature in Valencia was rising till a brilliant move between Iniesta and Messi produced a brilliant goal which silenced the stadium. Despite their 0-1 advantage, Barça didn’t look as effective as usual, and were unable to build moves. Valencia put up a fight, above all in midfield, where most of the action took place.

Valencia fight back

Barça looked weaker after the goal, and they seemed to suffer most in defense under pressure from Villa and Silva. It was a shot from Silva, deflected for a corner, which brought about Valencia’s first, scored by Maduro (minute 42). Mestalla exploded, and shortly after Pablo Hernandez made it 2-1. In just three minutes the score had been turned right round.

Henry frustrated

In the second half, Barça took over the initiative in the game, but they continued to have problems in creating moves. Guardiola brought on Henry for Keita, and the Frenchman had various chances but was frustrated by César. Meanwhile the home side received various bookings for fouls intended to break Barça’s rhythm.

Finally a draw

The undoubted star of the second half Henry’s goal came from one of the resulting free kicks, when he took advantage of a deflection from César. Barça tried for a victory in the dying minutes, but Valencia closed down in defense till the final whistle.