Don't restart your computers... you're seeing it right. Barcelona have been roundly shocked at the Camp Nou when they crashed to an astonishing 2-0 defeat to newcomers Hercules. Nelson Valdez netted both goals and it could've been a more damaging defeat had it not been for Victor Valdes. A Nelson Valdez brace for Hercules propelled the Spanish Primera Division newcomers to a shock 2-0 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon.
The Paraguay international found the target once in each half to inflict on the Spanish champions their first defeat of the season and gave his side hope and encouragement of surviving the drop to the Segunda Division.
As expected, Barcelona imposed themselves on the game right from the start and could have taken an early lead when Lionel Messi skipped past two defenders down the right flank, then cut into the penalty area and unleashed a ferocious shot; but it was saved by Hercules goalkeeper Juan Calatayud.
Three minutes later in the 11th minute Bojan Krkic could have scored had his attempted backheel from a Maxwell cross not gone narrowly wide.
Barcelona then had two great chances in quick succession. First Seydou Keita’s header from an Adriano cross was cleared for a corner and then David Cortes almost scored an own goal while cutting out a David Villa pass for Messi.
Hercules had certainly looked the second best side in the match but they surged into the lead three minutes before the half hour mark. A Royston Drenthe ball into the Barcelona penalty area was mishandled by Victor Valdes, allowing Nelson Valdez to punish the Spain international goalkeeper with a looping header from close range.
However, Barca showed no nerves in spite of conceding the shock early goal and came close to restoring parity after that. First Gerard Pique’s header from an Adriano cross went narrowly wide on 34 minutes and moments later Boja failed to turn in an Adriano pass from close range.
The second-half started the way the first-half had finished with Barca on the ball. Xavi could have restored parity five minutes into the restart had his first-time effort on goal from a Pedro cross not sailed over the bar. Minutes later Pedro created a chance for Villa when he crossed the ball intending for the Spain international striker but Calatayud intercepted. Then much to the aghast of the Camp Nou crowd Hercules scored their second goal of the afternoon. Tiago Gomes marched along the right and provided a low cross to Valdez and the Paraguay international shot past Valdes to accomplish his brace. It was virtually game over for Barcelona at the time but still they knocked on Hercules’ door. However, Calatayud was strong between the sticks for the visitors as he kept out both Messi and Villa. However, the Blanquiazules too had their chances as striker Kiko forced Valdes into making a good save with 20 minutes to go. Four minutes later he couldn’t keep his shot on target from a good position. It could have been 3-0 to Hercules had David Trezeguet not missed an open-goal chance with a couple of minutes remaining in normal time. This 2-0 win will surely go down in Hercules’ history as one of their most memorable matches. As for Barcelona, coach Pep Guardiola now needs to regroup his side and prepare them for midweek’s Champions League adventure.
0 komentar:
Post a Comment