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Barcelona and Valencia end level

VALENCIA - FCB / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCBBarcelona go into their second leg home tie level with Valencia as the game at the Mestalla ended 1-1. Thanks to goals from Jonas and Puyol.

The semi-final cup game produced a well contested match with both sides having good opportunities to score. But in the end it was only Jonas and Puyol who could take their chance.

Valencia started the game well and were looking the most likely to score. Soldado and Piatti were causing chaos in the Barça defence and it was Saldado who was involved in one of the biggest talking points of the game. The in-form Spanish striker broke past the defence and looked to go round the Barcelona keeper. Pinto raced off his line to the edge of the area and as Soldado attempted to knock it past him, the goalie hand-balled out of his area. Neither the referee or the linesman spotted it and Pinto was lucky to remain on the field

Valencia did not sulk though and continued to press, Soldado coming close with a well hit volley. At the other end Barcelona's best chance of the opening stages fell to Alexis who hit his shot shamefully wide. 

Just before the half hour mark, Valencia were ahead. A spell of  good passing from Valencia found Mathieu with space on the left flank. the winger worked his way past Puyol and produced a low cross straight to the feet of Jonas, who calmly swept the ball past Pinto.

Straight after the restart, Barcelona pressed forward but Messi failed to score a quick reply. Diego Alves was then forced to produce a world class save after Cuenca dribbled past three defenders and fed in Alexis. Alexis shot low but Alves got a vital hand to it.

Barcelona were level though soon after. The resultant corner was met by an unmarked Puyol. The captain headed past Diego Alves who was left in no man's land after failing to deal with the corner. A goal that clearly meant a lot to Pep Guardiola who was seen fist pumping the air. 

The Barcelona side was vacant of some major players including Valdes, Dani Alves and Xavi were all left on the bench while Iniesta is out with injury. But the team managed to cope even without some of their stars.

Both sides went into half time level but it was Barça who came out stronger after the interval.After a number of chances, Alexis put the ball into the net but was needlessly offside and was caught by the linesman.

Piatti continued to be a thorn in Barcelona's side but after a careless challenge on Thiago in the oppostion's box, Barcelona had the chance to take the lead. Messi stepped up to take the penalty but saw his shot saved by Diego Alves. The keeper seemed to dive very early but Messi hit the ball the same way.

Pep Guardiola continued to look animated on the touchline and began to make changes to his squad. He injected fresh pace into his team with the introduction of Dani Alves and Tello. Alves looked lively and combined well with Messi but saw his effort rattle off the post.

The game was contested until the final whistle but neither side could snatch a late winner. The second leg comes from the Camp Nou where Barcelona are now heavy favourites to progress but if Valencia play as well as they did tonight, it's not a done deal for Guardiola's men.

Full time result: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona

Goal scorers: Valencia: Jonas (26) Barcelona: Puyol (34)

Team lineup:
Valencia: Diego Alves,Miguel, Rami, Víctor Ruiz, Jordi Alba, Albelda (Costa 66), Banega, Piatti (Feghouli 59), Jonas (Aduriz 75), Mathieu, Soldado Subs: Barragán, Guaita, Dealbert, Juan Bernat
Formation: 4-2-3-1

Barcelona: Pinto, Puyol, Piqué, Abidal, Mascherano, Fábregas, Busquets, Thiago (Jonathan dos Santos 80), Alexis (Dani Alves 62), Messi, Cuenca (Tello 87) Subs: Víctor Valdés, Xavi, Adriano, Sergi Roberto
Formation: 4-3-3

Stadium: Estadio Mestalla

Referee: Jose Luis González González



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