Barça B - Match report: Sant Andreu

For the game against the leader, the centre back duo was changed for the third time. With Víctor Sánchez returning to the first team and Verdés being suspended, Joni and Botía were the central defenders. Captain Xavi Torres re-entered the team as defensive midfielder. The forward line didn't change.

Miño, Córcoles, Botía, Joni, Espasandín, Rueda (80 Abraham), Xavi Torres, Longás (65 Tiago), Rayo (58 Víctor Vázquez), Maric, Nolito

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Sant Andreu president Joan Gaspart, who was the president of Barcelona from 2000 to 2003, had his heart divided for this game. Midfielder Sergi Busquets, who had made his debut with the first team the day before, assisted the game to support his team-mates.

The game was very tactical from the start, with very few opportunites during the ninety minutes. Barcelona only held Maric, who was protesting a lot all along the match, deep and the wingers felt back to midfield waiting to break out if possible. It was a balanced game although Sant Andreu seemed to dominate parts of it, also due to a very solid midfield that recovered a lot of balls.

After just two minutes, Botía had to save a ball from the goal line. Rueda shot twice on goal and Nolito, the most dynamic Barcelona player, had two small chances. Miño had to hold one ball in the first half.

The second half was somewhat more attractive. After ten minutes, a good shot by Nolito was saved. Luis Enrique brought Víctor Vázquez and Tiago trying to give some more depth to the Barcelona play. The rhythm of the game went up but this didn't lead to chances.

Sant Andreu nevertheless took over and started to push more. A first shot just went wide but in the 70th minute the opponents could score out of ball that bounced back after Miño had saved a first chance.

Sant Andreu went for a second and decisive goal but it was Barcelona who had some chances to equalize. After a good action, a shot by Nolito went wide and the striker missed a few minutes later in a one-on-one with the Sant Andreu gaolkeeper. The latter also saved a shot by Abraham in extra time.

Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique said at the press conference after the match that he thought the defeat wasn't really justified: "This was clearly a game that should have ended with a draw. In my humble opinion, none of the two teams was superior. I'm leaving with a bad feeling because they scored out of half a chance. We had some chances but we couldn't finish them.

I'm nevertheless satisfied with the work of the players. I can't complain about their attitude. Sant Andreu will surely play for the top positions in the league. We knew that it would be a difficult game but they didn't cause us great troubles. On the other hand it's true that we didn't have many clear chances either.

We have to take some details from this game, we'll integrate them in our training sessions next week. In general, I think we're going in the right direction, like I was expecting. And all players will particpate this season. I don't have a fixed team right now. Maybe it will come later in the season but there aren't starters and substitutes here and those who convince during training sessions and matches will play."



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