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Week  35	Barcelona	1	v	0	Cadiz
Date 29th April 2006	Ronaldinho 9 mins
					Sesma
					Bezares
					Vella

Undoubtedly the toughest game left for Cadiz at the Camp Nou against the best side in Spain and arguably one of the best in Europe saw Esparrago make four changes that drew against Deportivo last week. In came De La Cuesta and Berizzo at the back for the injured De Quintana and Paz, whilst Lobos and Suarez dropped to the bench to be replaced by Bezares and Moran in midfield with Pavoni playing the lone front man.

It looked ominous from the start when within the first 90 seconds Limia was called on to make a good save against Ronaldinho and on 5 minutes Berizzo made a superb last ditch tackle on Giuly just as he was about to shoot. On the 9 minute mark the worst happened when good work between Giuly and Beletti down the Barca right left Beletti to fire in a good cross to the penalty spot, where Ronaldinho had lost his marker and fired a superb unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. 1-0 and Cadiz were facing a daunting 81 minutes against a Barca side who had come out with all guns blazing right from the start. But as has been seen time and time again over the season Cadiz were not going to give up and within 2 minutes of the re-start they had the ball in the Barca net. Good work from Pavoni down the right saw his cross put into the net by Sesma, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, which seemed to be a very tight decision and could easily have gone in favour of the visitors. Cadiz continued to match Barca and in the 19^th minute Sesma had a great opportunity to level the scores but blasted over from 10 yards with just the keeper to beat. Still ‘Los Amarillos’ went forward forcing Valdes firstly to rush out and block at the feet of Enrique on the 31 minute mark and within 90 seconds to make a fine save from a goal bound Sesma right foot effort. With the first half drawing to an end a bad pass backwards by Enrique near the halfway line went straight to Etoo, with the Cadiz defence stretched and Barca pushing for a second but fine determination by the visiting defence managed to foil Barca from getting a shot away and the half ended 1-0 to Barca. 

In the second half it was obvious that Frank Rijkaard had given his team of champions a strong talking to as they came out with renewed determination and were quick to close down Cadiz, who seemed unable to get any control of the ball or the game. This led to Deco shooting just past Limia’s right post from a free kick just outside the box in the 49^th minute, with Berizzo making another superb interception of a dangerous cross from Giuly 5 minutes later. But within minutes Barca were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out and Ronaldinho fired in a good shot that Limia did well to palm away. Then 16 minutes into the second half  the otherwise superb Berizzo, brought down Van Bommell in the box and the ref had no choice but to award a penalty to Barca. Up stepped Etoo to take the penalty only to see his effort easily saved by Limia diving to his left and the score remained at 1-0, with still some hope that Cadiz could get something out of the game.

With 15 minutes left Esparrago sent on Lobos and Oli to try and find that elusive goal, which would give Cadiz a well earned and deserving point. The two combined well in the 83^rd minute when a Lobos cross from the right was well met by Oli but although he was able to send the ball goalwards there was no power in his header and it was easily gathered by Valdes. Just 4 minutes later Cadiz were awarded a free kick on the right, which again Lobos put over and this time Oli met it perfectly gliding a strong header towards the Barca goal only for Valdes to dive full stretch to his right to keep the ball out. In the final minute a desperate tackle by Marquez kept Oli from getting his shot away and with Cadiz throwing everything forward trying to find the elusive equalizer a through ball found Etoo in space with only Limia to beat, but his tame shot was well blocked by Limia. 

The score remained at 1-0 but another battling performance by Cadiz must still give their beloved and avid supporters hope that they can pick up enough points from their last 3 games, at home to fellow strugglers Real Sociedad and Malaga and away to Getafe, to avoid the drop, even though with the other results from week 35 Cadiz are now 4 points from safety.