Barcelona Suffer Shock Loss to Rubin Kazan
Russian Champions Seize Their Chances to Silence the Nou Camp
Oct 22, 2009
After sweeping all before them in an unbeaten start to the La Liga Season Barcelona slumped to a surprising defeat at the hands of reigning Russian title holders Rubin Kazan. Despite dominating possession and carving out numerous clear-cut chances Los Cules somehow contrived to throw away the game, albeit due to two moments of outstanding quality.
Frenetic Opening Sees Barcelona Fall Behind to Wonder Goal
Barcelona started the match at high speed and almost contrived to open the scoring inside the first minute. Xavi, finding space on the edge of the area threaded a delightful ball through to midfield colleague Andres Iniesta. The diminutive playmaker’s lung busting run took him free inside the box and only an uncharacteristically heavy final touch allowed the diving Rhyzikov to smoother at the Barcelona man’s feet.
However, while the Barcelona players were still debating the legality of the goalkeeper’s challenge a long punt up field eventually found itself at the feet of Ryazantsev, who let fly from fully thirty-five yards. The sweetly struck shot flew like a tracer bullet, leaving the clearly shocked Victor Valdes clutching impotently at thin air. Barcelona, who had only conceded four goals in all competitions this season, were behind with only two minutes on the clock.
Barcelona Establish Their Passing Game
The goal, rather than forcing Barcelona onto the back foot, served rather to galvanise the Catalan outfit. Ibrahimovic twice tested Rhyzikov and could perhaps have done better when set free down the inside left channel. His rather tame shot across the keeper lacked power and was rather too easily deflected wide.
With the unexpected bonus of an early lead in their pockets Rubin unsurprisingly decided to sit deep and pack out what swiftly became an increasingly congested midfield area. Xavi and Iniesta worked hard to force openings, though against their increasingly resolute opposition they found the going tougher than they might have expected. Rubin, perceived to be the weakest team in the group when the draw was made, were clearly a well-drilled and competent outfit. Their recent 1-1 draw with Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan showed that they possess enough flair and tactical adaptability to remain competitive at this rarefied level.
Barcelona were having to work very hard to break down the Russians. Having failed to turn the trick passing their way through the centre they concentrated on getting behind Rubin down the flanks. Both Daniel Alves and exciting newcomer Pedro made ground repeatedly down their respective wings; though in fairness their crossing was either inaccurate or well policed by the Rubin back line. Alves fired one shot into the side netting while later going close with a ferocious drive from distance. Pedro spurned the best of Barcelona’s opportunities in the 38th minute, though he did force Rhyzikov into a smart diving save from a far post header. The half finished with the home side in the ascendant, yet looking increasingly frustrated at their inability to get themselves back onto even terms.
Ibrahimovic Continues His Great Run in Front of Goal
Barcelona, presumably chastened by a half-time broadside from coach Guardiola (who was celebrating his seventy-fifth match in charge) charged out of the gate to start the second half. Their more direct approach saw them level the match inside five minutes. The goal when it came was a peach, epitomising the intoxicating brand of football Barcelona have patented in recent years. A series of neat passes led to Xavi picking out Ibrahimovic on the edge of the box. Taking the ball on his chest the Swede spun and dispatched a beautifully judged right foot drive just inside the far post. This was the predatory forward’s sixth strike of the season and his productivity in front of goal has gone a long way to banishing the spectre of Samuel Eto’o from the minds of the Nou Camp faithful.
Buoyed by the goal Barcelona proceeded to dominate possession, though tellingly without carving out and gilt-edged chances. The Russians were content to soak up the pressure and wait for openings.
Body Blow for Barcelona
With Barcelona having well over 70% of the possession a positive result looked likely for the home side. Bojan was brought on to bolster the attack, though he struggled to get into the game. Ibrahimovic went close, firing a twenty-five yard free kick just wide of the post. Yet on 73 minutes the match was once more turned on its head. The lively Dominguez ran at the Barcelona back line, before teeing up Karadeniz, who finished sharply from just inside the box, arrowing a neat right-foot drive across Valdes to put the Russian title-holders into the lead for the second time.
Barcelona, sensing a potentially embarrassing home defeat, pressed desperately for the equaliser. That they carved out enough chances to level the contest is inarguable, both Ibrahimovic and Toure struck the woodwork as the match neared its conclusion. However Rubin held on to secure a memorable victory, their first at this level.
All Square in Group F
Following this result the Group F table makes interesting reading. All four teams are tied on four points; following Kiev’s creditable 2-2 draw in Milan against Inter. Guardiola was full of praise for the Russian teams defensive resolve, while maintaining that his team had played well enough to deserve a share of the spoils. This result ends Barcelona’s unbeaten start to the season and leaves them facing a potentially troublesome return match in Russia next month.
