Barça in the next round

Barcelona qualified for the next round of the Copa del Rey after they drew at home to Alcoyano in the second leg of the last 32 on Wednesday evening. Santi Ezquerro scored twice as Frank Rijkaard's side progressed after winning the opening leg.

Having secured a three-goal lead in the first match, Barça were able to rest several players and give minutes to the second string and young stars against the third division visitors. On a rain-soaked night in the Catalan capital two early goals put the result of the tie completely beyond doubt. Goalkeeper Oier Olazábal made his first team debut following the injury to Albert Jorquera while Víctor Sánchez also made his first appearance at the highest level.

With the game and the tie won, Barça let their guard down after the break and Alcoyano took advantage as they scored with a penalty before drawing level in the final minute.

Ezquerro bags a brace
Just two minutes of the game had passed when the deadlock was broken as Ezquerro finished off a powerful team move. The forward pounced on the ball to tuck home after a shot from Deco. The hosts could not have asked for a better start, but the Blaugrana continued to push forward and were able to double their lead with ten minutes on the clock. This time Bojan Krkic provided the pass for Ezquerro to tuck home side second of the evening.

Barcelona were never forced to play at their best as they controlled proceedings for the remainder of the opening half. Despite being behind, though, Alcoyano never took their foot off the pedal and forced a series of corners, but were unable to test Olazábal.

Alcoyano come back
After half-time, the game continued along the same lines as the first half. The weather did not help the rhythm of the match and the intensity was missing. That did not stop chances being created as Bojan had an opportunity on the hour mark, but he saw his effort strike the woodwork. Alcoyano then went up to the other end and reduced the arrears as the former Barça player, Perona, netted from the penalty spot after Eidur Gudjohnsen had handled in the area.

Unable to find a third
In the final 15 minutes, Barça looked set to add a third goal, but they were unable to score despite both Bojan and Ezquerro having chances. Then, in the final minute of the game the visitors raised their game one last time and managed to snatch a dramatic equaliser as Arnau scored. The draw for the next round of the Copa del Rey takes place on Friday.



The goals :

1-0, Ezquerro (min 2)
2-0, Ezquerro (min 10)
2-1, Perona (pen) (min 69)
2-2, Arnau (min 90)


Source : FCB