Puyol leads Barça fightback

Barcelona faced Valencia in arguably the biggest game in Europe so far this season. With Xavi back from injury and a new pitch in the Camp Nou, Barça were ready to go against the odds and win after an international break, something they've only accomplished four times in eighteen games.

Both sides started fast but it was Valencia who were more composed in possession and took the lead from a scrappy goal by Pablo. Iniesta leveled for the champions in the second half, then Puyol gave the Catalans the winning goal with a ferocious header.

Barça had the opportunity to take the lead when a chance fell to David Villa in the first twenty minutes, but in unusal fashion he decided to square it to Dani Alves rather than go for goal himself.

The pace of the game was becoming frantic and both sides looked threatening but it was Valencia who capitalized on this in the 37th minute with a goal from Pablo Hernandez. After fiding space in the box, Pablo put the vistors in front with a scruffy goal, taking a deflection off Keita on the way in.

Pablo could of doubled his tally minutes after when a Valencia attack caught barça on the back foot, but his shot was palmed away by Victor Valdes.

Pep Guardiola's half time team talk did the trick and Barça came out in full force for the second half. In the 47th minute, Andres Iniesta went on a winding run, played a one-two with Xavi and passed it past the keeper to draw the home side level.

Dani Alves stepped up his attacking game in the second half and his one-two with Messi led to a floating cross to Villa, who nearly converted with a header.

Barcelona veteran, Carles Puyol gave the Catalans the winning goal with a bullett of a header that left the keeper no chance. A pin point cross by Xavi, found Puyol who headed into the top corner.

Messi started to take risks and make more runs, troubling the Valencia defence. He brought a good save out of Valencia's goalkeeper, Sanchez, when he weaved into the box and got a shot off on his right foot.

David Villa should of sealed the win but failed to score his one-on-one with Sanchez, opting to go around the keeper rather than shooting first time, Sanchez was alert to this, and saved well.

Messi had a goal in injury time ruled out, the reply showed the Argentinan just offside before he coverted with a diving chest shot.

The game lived up to the expectations and despite a poor first half, Barça dug deep and in the second half showed why their champions. After average performances in recent weeks it looks like Barça are realising that you can't be champions without being clinical.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]