| First Division - Day 30 | |
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Málaga 0 - Barcelona 0 Málaga: Arnau;
Jesús Gámez, Fernando Sanz, César Navas, Antonio
López (Nacho 59'); Manu (Edgar 84'), Gerardo, Bovio, Duda; Pablo
Couñago (Hidalgo 65'), Salva. 4-4-2. Team changes: Málaga: César Navas, Antonio López, Gerardo for Alexis, Nacho, Juan Rodríguez / Barça: Rodri, Sylvinho, Gabri, Larsson for Puyol, Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Ronaldinho. Goals: None. Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom club Málaga on Saturday evening, but they still moved further clear at the top of the table after second placed Osasuna lost. With a Champions League game coming up on Tuesday, Frank Rijkaard put out a much changed line up, Rodri making his first start for the A team in place of the suspended Puyol and Ronaldinho and Deco being rested. Larsson was back in the side though, and early in the first half he brought a good save out of Arnau with a header from Belletti's cross. Duda and Manu had a couple of speculative shots at the other end and Giuly put another effort wide before Eto'o got the ball in the net following a Belletti free kick. However referee Rodríguez Santiago ruled out the strike after consulting with infamous linesman Rafa Guerrero, who eventually decided that a Barcelona player had handled the ball. Barça got off to a good start in the second half, but they came up against Arnau, who once again put in a good performance against his old club. The local keeper made saves from Giuly, Larsson and Eto'o, and Motta drove a long free just wide of the mark in between. Málaga didn't trouble Valdés until the closing minutes, when Bovio shot wide and Duda put Valdés to the test with a bouncing shot. Eto'o could have won it for the visitors near the end, firstly with another shot which Arnau kept out and then with a drive against the crossbar after Gerardo gave the ball away. But in the end both sides had to settle for a point, which helps Barça more than their opponents. |
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