<span class="titolo">Rangers And Barça Share The Spoils</span></p> <span class="sommario">Rangers and FC Barcelona drew a blank in an absorbing encounter in Ibrox on Tuesday evening, but neither team will be upset and taking a point that keeps them in charge at the top of Group E.</span></p> Here were chances to win the encounter at either end, but the defences ruled the day as Rangers held out against sustained periods of Barça pressure while the visitors stood firm when they were pressed back in the break. Frank Rijkaard's team may have enjoyed the majority of possession, but they were unable to open up the Scottish side's rearguard, while Víctor Valdés did not have one clear save to make at the other end. That does not reflect the danger that Rangers posed, however, as they also had chances to open the scoring in a game that was played in front of a passionate home crowd. Roared on by the full house, the home team held strong and then mounted attacks and looked at their most dangerous in the final quarter of an hour. Barça named Eidur Gudjohnsen in the starting line-up for the first time this season in place of Deco, while Ronaldinho was brought back after recovering from his international duties last week. The home team opted to pull Nacho Novo back to play as part of a five-man midfield, leaving French striker Daniel Cousin to plough a lone furrow up front. In the seventh minute the Blaugrana came close to snatching the early goal that they had talked about before the game when Xavi's corner was met by Gudjohnsen, but he headed over from eight yards out. Novo then sent a cross over that just evaded Cousin to give Barça a warning that they were not going to have everything their own way, despite Rangers' defensive line-up. After Valdés was called up on to protect his goal by plucking a high cross out of the air and diving low to prevent a low centre, Ronaldinho almost produced some magic. The Brazilian lined up his second free-kick of the night from 25 yards only for his powerful drive to be tipped onto the bar and over by Allan McGregor in the hosts' goal. Barça began to take control in midfield, but they were unable to find a route to goal as they were forced to move to the flanks and back to the middle in the face of a wall of blue shirts. Carles Puyol revelled in his role as an attacking right-back and he came very close to capping a strong performance when Ronaldinho looped a pass to the back post where the team captain dived to head the ball goalwards, but McGregor was in fine form and guided the ball over the bar. The second period quickly took the same shape as the first with Barça probing and Rangers sitting back waiting for a chance to break. Gudjohnsen registered the first shot, which the keeper dealt with comfortably, before Xavi drove over on the hour. In the 69th minute Henry had the clearest chance of the game to break the deadlock when a corner was allowed to reach him completely unmarked, but he headed over from close range and knew it was a golden opportunity gone begging. Moments later Barça survived a scare as Rangers grew in confidence and began to push forward with one move culminating in Cousin's cross just being too far in front of Barry Ferguson. Cousin then had a great chance himself as the ball dropped to him at the far post and there was a pause in the noise as the home fans waited, but the striker sliced his volley wide of the far post. AS full time approached, Barça showed that they were happy with a point by passing the ball backwards and forwards instead of pressing to wind down the clock.</p> </p> </p>
Yeah I watched the game too, I was rooting for the Rangers. lol</p> Barca dominated the ball though.</p>
