Llagostera 1-1 Barça B: Held to a draw

The reserves were outstanding last week, but the trip to Llagostera in the north of Catalonia against a side just one point below them in the table proved very tricky indeed.

An opponent that is strong in the air and rock solid at the back made for a niggly, physical game in which real chances failed to flow for either side. Six minutes the deadlock was finally broke, but by the home side, when Sascha headed past Iñáki Peña.

The second half was hardly glowing with exciting football, either, but Barça showed the most intent, and although they couldn’t find the net from open play, they did from the penalty spot when Riqui Puig was brought down and Abel Ruiz did the duties.

The remainder of the game was even more stop-start than before, with plenty of free kicks and high balls into the air. Barça’s chances took a boost when Pasquina was sent of for a cynical tackle on the counter attacking Riqui Puig, who had to be stretchered off.

This is never an easy ground to come to, and Barça will have to take the point as a fair return, and for the time being remain in the playoff zone. Next up it’s Sabadell at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday at six o’clock local time.

MATCH STATS

Llagostera: Marcos, Crespo, Viale, Diego, Bigas, Garcia, Magallán (Pol Gómez, min 75), Cortés (Pasquina, min 87), Gil, Nahuel (Maynau, min 69) & Sascha.

Barça B: Iñaki Peña, Guillem, Chumi, Cuenca, Akieme, Monchu, Sarsanedas (Reis, min 75), Riqui Puig (Mingueza, min 95), Álex Collado, Marqués (Hiroki, min 61) & Abel Ruiz.

Goals: 1-0, Sascha (min 39); 1-1 Abel Ruiz (min 65).