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Week 16	Cadiz	1	v	3	Barcelona
Date 17th December 2005	Mirosalvjevic 90				Giuly 32
					Eto'o 45, 48
	Fleurquin				Edmilson
	Pavoni
	Estoyanoff

Cadiz went down 1-3 against league leaders Barcelona but battled admirably in front of a superb home following. Goals from Giuly and two from Samuel Eto'o put Barca ahead before Mirosalvjevic added a late consolation. Ronaldinho was missing for the Catalans but young Argentinian star Lionel Messi was instrumental in much of the visitors best play. 

Mario Silva started at left back in place of Raul Lopez whilst De La Cuesta remained at centre back with De Quintana. Cadiz started very brightly and their pressing game stifled Barcelona’s main attacking players. The visitors were closed down as soon as they received the ball, and they were finding it hard to repeat the flowing attacking football they have played on numerous times this season. It was as a result of this that Cadiz had the better of the opening exchanges, with Enrique not far away from finding Jonathan Sesma with an early cross. Barcelona struggled to create chances although Messi was a constant threat. The Cadiz game plan was obviously to try and crowd out the player in possession and break at speed from midfield. After half an hour it almost paid off. Sesma robbed Oleguer and got to the byline before crossing towards Pavoni. The Argentinian got his head to the ball but not enough to trouble Valdez. Just two minutes later Barca showed their class. Iniesta took control of the ball in the Cadiz half, and with one simple pass put Giuly clean through. The winger made no mistake as he lofted the ball over the advancing Armando. Cadiz responded well but fell further behind on the stroke of half time in controversial circumstances. Messi appeared to handle the ball when controlling the ball on his chest, before he rolled a pass through to Marquez. De La Cuesta slid in and Marquez took advantage by diving over the defenders clumsy tackle. The contact was minimal but the ref pointed to the spot. Eto’o made no mistake from the spot despite having to take the kick twice because of encroachment. 

After the break Cadiz continued to battle in the hope that a goal may get them back into the game, but Eto’o sealed the points just after the restart when making it 0-3. His first effort was superbly blocked by Armando, but unfortunately the ball fell at the feet of Messi. He toyed with the defence before rolling the ball back to Eto’o, and the Cameroon international wasn’t going to miss a second chance. Esparrago introduced Estoyanoff, Manolo Perez and later Mirosavljevic. Despite being 0-3 down, the home following remained vocal and longed for a goal against the current League champions. Barcelona started showing their class though, and Armando made stunning saves from Deco, Oleguer and twice from sub Larsson. A fine response to some question marks regarding goals recently scored in home defeats. The home fans were rewarded for their support by a goal for Mirosavljevic in the closing minutes, when he finished well after a quick freekick involving Estoyanoff and Enrique on the edge of the box.

The players did their best, but the class of Barcelona ultimately shone through. The fans once again underlined their reputation as some of the best in Spain while the team must regroup for the match at Real Sociedad on Wednesday, when Cadiz hope to end a run of 8 games without victory.