The Joan Gamper Trophy ( named after the founder of FC
BARCELONA) is played traditionally every year with an invited
top class team to celebrate the new season in front of the Barça
members/fans. It´s a celebration were the Club presents the new
squad ( see foto below) before playing for the Trophy , with this
years guests Argentine Club BOCA JUNIORS.
It was Boca Juniors 5th visit for this trophy in which it had never
won & they wanted to win tonight. FC Barcelona started the 1º half
with its star players (Eto´o, Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta...) on the bench.
The first 45 min was an equal affair with chances falling to both sides,
but nothing really to highlight.
The 2º half saw Barça bring on its above mentioned stars to
go for the game, but were seriously surprised in the 73rd min
when Boca player VIATRI scored after a horrible defensive
mistake from Barça. In fact, Barça has a lot of work to do in defence
as they concentrate so hard in attacking that they leave gaps in
the backend. Boca was exploiting this as much as possible & were
putting Barça in some dire straits all night.
Then in the 90th min when it looked like Boca would finally win the
Gamper Trophy, CARLES PUYOL headed in a brilliant equalizing
goal that secured that it would all go down to the penalty shoot-out
at least.
But there was more unbelievable play ahead, when Xavi crossed
to SAMUEL ETO´O in the last seconds & the Camaroon forward
headed in the second & winning goal to give Barça its 33rd
Gamper Trophy & bring the house down.
Close call for Barça, but its a win. Need some work in defence however
to stop the dangerous counter-attacks. Very unlucky Boca Juniors who
played an excellent game tonight in which they nearly won.
FINAL SCORE : FC Barcelona 2 - Boca Juniors 1. See the goals in
