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n an exciting match, both teams started well. Barcelona began to take control however, and their football was fast and flowing. Saviola had an early chance but volleyed over under pressure. Davids was the heart of the side and Xavi, Ronaldinho and Saviola were the attacking threat, as Barcelona played their best 45 minutes of the season. The first goal arrived when Ronaldinho deftly headed a Xavi free kick into the net. The second was superb. Ronaldinho fed Xavi, who played a fast combination with van Bronckhorst to burst into the area. His low ball was swept into the net on the run by Saviola. At the break the game changed when Davids was substituted. A third goal arrived when Saviola cleverly fed Luis García, who unselfishly gave Ronaldinho a tap-in. Shortly after this came the Depor fightback, with two great headed goals from Pandiani. The game was end to end, Gabri wasted two fantastic chances and referee Tristante Oliva, the man who awarded Madrid an infamous penalty two weeks ago, made another error. He amazingly red carded Motta (no.23) for a foul by Oleguer (no.32). Right at the end, Luque somehow stabbed the ball over from less than a yard, with the net gaping before him. (report by Alex)
El Barça prolonga su racha de victorias
El Barcelona se plantó sobre el terreno de juego llevando la iniciativa. Cuando el Deportivo empezaba a meterse en el partido, Xavi colgó el balón y Ronaldinho remató de cabeza al fondo de la portería de Molina. Tras el gol, los de Irureta no reaccionaron, sino que se quedaron atascados y sin ideas. El Barça mantuvo el orden táctico y además se benefició de un despiste de la zaga rival para ampliar la ventaja gracias a otra asistencia de Xavi que Saviola empujó a placer. En la reanudación, el Deportivo salió desbocado, pero se olvidó de la contención, y a los tres minutos el Barcelona logró el tercer tanto en un contraataque con el que Ronaldinho pareció sentenciar el duelo. Pero los blanquiazules resucitaron gracias al acierto de Pandiani, quien con dos brillantes remates de cabeza devolvió la emoción al partido, con media hora de juego por delante. (marca)
2 - Deportivo: Molina; Scaloni, Andrade, Naybet (77' Djalminha), Romero; Sergio, Mauro Silva; Víctor (46' Fran), Valerón, Luque; Diego Tristán (46' Pandiani).
3 - Barcelona: Valdés; Reiziger, Puyol, Oleguer, Van Bronckhorst; Cocu (65' Gerard); Luis García (69' Gabri), Xavi, Davids (46' Motta), Ronaldinho; Saviola.
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