Barcelona 2 - Celta
2
Barcelona: Hesp;
Frank De Boer, Reiziger; Gabri, Guardiola, Zenden (Puyol 46'); Xavi (Santamaria
46'), Litmanen (Sergi 80'); Dani, Kluivert, Cocu. 2-3-2-3. Celta:
Pinto; Vivas (Coira 70'), Sergio (Mena 75'), Cáceres, Djorovic,
Juanfran; Makelele, Giovanella, Celades, Tomás; Turdó (Belmadi
85'). 5-4-1.
Team changes: Barcelona:
Xavi, Kluivert for Simao, Figo / Celta: Djorovic, Juanfran for Coira, Karpin.
Goals: 0-1. 29.
Tomás. Turned Xavi and hit soft shot past Hesp. 0-2. 35.
Turdó. Shot from outside area into top corner of net. 1-2. 46.
Kluivert (penalty). Giovanella handled ball in area from Dani's lob. 2-2.
53. Kluivert. Headed past Pinto after Dani beat defender and crossed.
Barcelona's season fizzled
out at the Nou Camp stadium in front of an apathetic and at times aggressive
audience. Any other side (except possibly Real Madrid) would have been more
than happy with their performance this year, second in the league and
semi-finalists in the Champions League and Spanish cup. But they didn't win any
titles, and being runners up to Barcelona supporters is rather like coming
second in a nuclear war. As reported last week, their relatively poor season
has taken it's toll, and club president Josep Lluis Nuñez has finally
decided to cash in his chips, calling early elections for a few weeks time and
standing down to make way for new blood. His resignation means that manager
Louis Van Gaal will not be staying on to complete his contract, (which has
another year to run), and a replacement manager will be chosen once the new
president has been elected. That could be a problem, as the elections will
probably not now take place until late July, less than a month before
Barça start their season. The draw against Celta leaves Barcelona in
second place in the league, and depending upon UEFA's interpretation of the
rules, they may have to play a qualifying round of the Champions League in mid
August. Several candidates are currently being touted around for president, and
more than one is rumoured to be putting together a package which will bring
Johann Cruyff back as managing director. SOCCER-SPAIN will keep you informed as
and when things happen. In the meantime, youth team manager Lorenzo Serra
Ferrer, who has had spells at Mallorca and Betis amongst others, will take over
as caretaker. Right now though Van Gaal had to concentrate on their last match
in the league, still with an outside chance of winning the championship but
with a real risk too that they could end up out of the Champions League places
for next season. With Figo injured and Rivaldo probably not likely to play in
the Blaugrana colours again, the Dutch manager put together a makeshift side,
with Dani and Cocu on the wings and young C team winger Sergio
Santamaría drafted in to fill up the places on the bench after a good
performance in the Cataluña cup final midweek (a match in which Amunike
made his reappearance). Their rivals Celta were looking to secure seventh
place, which could give them a back door into the UEFA cup via the Intertoto
competition. Their team were decimated by injuries and suspensions, with Karpin
banned and Mostovoi, Gustavo Löpez, Revivo and McCarthy injured, and with
Juanfran and Djorovic returning from suspension, Víctor Fernández
opted to play with five defenders in what is probably his last match in charge.
With Nuñez watching the match on TV in a private office, first
vice-president Nicolas Casaus presided over the directors' box. Posters in the
crowd announced 'Van Gaal go home', and 'mercenaries, you don't feel the true
colours of the team'. There were others however in favour of Nuñez, and
some pro and anti supporters clashed verbally before the game. Despite a couple
of early efforts by Kluivert, Barcelona were off form, and after Tomás
hit the post with a strange deflection off Litmanen after his free kick, the
midfielder went one better with a solo goal which left Hesp clutching at air.
Five minutes later Turdo was allowed to pick up the ball on the right of the
penalty area, and after turning back unchallenged he unleashed a strong shot
from outside of the area which lodged in the top corner of the net. The white
hankies were out as ex Barcelona midfielder Celades went close, and the home
team were whistled and booed off the pitch at half time. Van Gaal decided to
make changes, and he brought on Puyol and Santamaría at half time, the
young winger being the ninth youngster that he has used this season. Within a
minute they had one back after Giovanella couldn't stop himself putting out a
hand to stop Dani's little chip over his head. Kluivert scored from the spot,
and five minutes later he got another after a good run from Dani down the left.
Guardiola sent a free kick close and Dani was unlucky to be ruled offside by
referee Bueno Grimal as he put the ball in the net later on. It wouldn't have
made much difference to Barcelona, as Deportivo by that time were out of sight,
although it could have damaged Celta's chances. Víctor made his three
changes to rest tired legs, with youngster Meca coming on up front for his
second appearance as substitute. Mallorca's surprise defeat at home to
Atlético means that they stay in seventh and achieve their secondary
goal of entering the Intertoto cup at the third round in mid-July. Those not
playing in the Euro 2000 championship can now get some rest, as next season
will start early for both. There are many questions to answer before then
though, not least of which is who will be in the manager's seat at both clubs.
There is indeed no rest for the wicked. |