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UEFA Two Points Away

Barca beat Malaga 2-1 tonight in a match they controlled from start to finish and moved to within two points of sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Cup.

In a match lacking in sparkle, the Barca players found it hard to create many clear chances, while Malaga were almost non-existent in attack. Barca went ahead twice, the first time thanks to a great goal from Saviola in the 24th minute and then again in the 67th when Mendieta scored from the penalty spot, thereby making amends for the penalty he had conceded 11 minutes earlier and which Dely Valdés converted.

Two wins on the trot

FC Barcelona notched up their second consecutive win, following on from the 1-3 away win against Recreativo, against a Malaga team sitting comfortably in mid-table. After threatening the visitors' goal two or three times in the opening twenty minutes, Barca took the lead in the 24th minute thanks to a beautifully headed goal by Saviola from Mendieta's cross from the right.

The Argentine striker, together with Mendieta and Rochemback, was particularly active in the first half, with Mendieta putting together one of his best performances so far in a Barca shirt. The threesome had come close in the 11th minute when Contreras saved from Saviola while a drive from outside the area from Mendieta drifted just wide.

Barca nerves settled

The opening goal settled nerves in the Barcelona camp and there was little reaction from a passive Malaga team who failed to test Valdés in the Barca goal during the whole of the first half. The wake-up call came in the opening moments of the second half, when Valdés blocked a point range effort from Musampa after some fine work by Manu.

Riquelme started the second half in place of Sorín who wasn't fully fit after his injury problems. Mendieta moved to right back and youngster Oscar López switched over to the left. The changes disoriented the team a little and Malaga started to make headway in the middle of the park.

Mendieta penalty

In one of the few Malaga attacks, Mendieta brought down Darío Silva from behind and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Dely Valdés sent Victor Valdés the wrong way to level the score 11 minutes into the second half. Barca immediately pressed forward with Kluivert and Luis Enrique posing a threat. Overmars came on to create danger down the right wing.

Second penalty

Barcelona took the lead again thanks to another penalty. Kluivert received the ball inside the box from Oscar López, turned, and Fernando Sanz handled. Mendieta made up for his earlier mistake and tucked the ball away just inside the post. Contreras guessed right, but the shot was beyond his reach. Barca controlled the remaining minutes comfortably and finished with a deserved 2-1 win.