Malaga 0-2 Barcelona: Ibra & Pique Score As Blaugrana Win
Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 10:56 AM
Without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who picked up an ankle injury against Racing Santander in midweek, in Barcelona's starting XI, the Blaugrana opted to deploy Thierry Henry up front, supported by Lionel Messi and Pedro down the wings.
Malaga were first to look for the goal, when on 7 minutes Duda played Obinna through, but the striker could not do better than sent the ball against the side netting from a very tight angle.
Barcelona created their first chance just 23 minutes into the game. Messi picked up a loose ball in the center before sending a cross to the right, Henry almost got to it and Pedro could not connect to it cleanly and sent it wide.
Ibrahimovic was introduced in the 30th minute for Henry as the Frenchman had to be replaced because of an injury, and the Swedish ace found the back of the net just nine minutes later. Messi chipped the ball over the defense and Ibrahimovic, with only the keeper to beat, made no mistake to put his side ahead.
The second half began practically with Pique being brought on for Chygrynskiy, and once again the substitution bore immediate fruits as the defender sent the ball past Munua after a free kick was sent into the middle of the box by Xavi.
Barcelona almost added a third on 62 minutes, as Xavi played a backheel into the path of Messi, but Munua rushed out to deny the Argentine wizard the opportunity to score.
Pique incredibly missed a goal 73 minutes into the game after being played by Pedro, who was looking for Messi, but he sent the ball flying over the bar with the goal completely empty.
Albert Luque, who had been brought on in the 75th minute for Duda, was sent off just ten minutes after being introduced following a dangerous challenge on Daniel Alves.
The last chance of the match went to Barcelona, two minutes into added time, as Messi was played through inside the box and he had only the keeper to beat but his low effort was denied by Munua.
Source: goal.com