Xerez - Barça B: Excellent display to close out the season (0-6)

Barça B run riot away to Xerez in the last match of this season's Liga Adelante Eusebio Sacristán's men close out the season with 59 points, just under the teams that will feature in the Primera División promotion playoffs Gustavo Ledes, Jonathan Dos Santos, Rafinha, Espinosa and a fantastic Gerard Deulofeu, who scored a brace, were Barça B's goal scorers at the Chapín Stadium Barça B closed out the 2011/12 season in the eight position of the Liga Adelante with 59 points. The reserve team’s record for the year is 16 victories, 11 draws and 15 defeats from the 42 matches played. Eusebio Sacristán’s men also finished the season with 63 goals, a superior haul to the teams that will feature in the Primera División's promotion playoff, like Hércules, Alcorcón and Córdoba. Barça B’s decidedly attack-focused play style was evident in the team’s last match of the season. The Barça manager wanted to end the season with a victory in order “to do justice to the season we’ve played,” and today, team granted the manager’s wish. Barça B started the match with a lot of intensity and they dominated ball possession from the starting whistle. On eight minutes, a very active Deulofeu came close to scoring the first goal of the game when he decided to shoot to the far post instead passing the ball off to the waiting Azulgrana strikers. 10 minutes later Deulofeu sent the ball to the woodwork with a shot just outside of the Xerez area. Barça B scored the first goal of the game on their third goal scoring chance. Deulofeu, after a fantastic individual play down the right wing, passed the ball to Gustavo Ledes who had no trouble making it 0-1 at Chapín Stadium. Deulofeu tips the scales in the first half Barça B’s performance was spectacular. On 28 minutes Balliu, who was playing out on the right wing, passed the ball to Deulofeu, but the player’s shot went wide. Vicente Moreno, not pleased with his team’s performance, decided to make a sub. José Mari, who was struggling, came out for Juanito. Despite Xerez’ attempts, the flow of the game stayed the same. Sergi Roberto could have scored Barça B’s second but his chip shot was a bit too heavy. Barça B managed to score the second goal of the game before the half. Kiko Femenía’s deep pass was scooped up by Deulofeu, who scored by sending the ball under the keeper’s legs. Deulofeu was a nightmare for Xerez’ defence in the first half. The Andalusian side had chances to score as well. The first chance fell to Maldonado, the second came from a set piece taken by Campano and Redondo tried to beat Barça B’s keeper with a far post shot. Football exhibition in the second half At the start of the second half, Eusebio’s men continued to employ their trademark style of play; Gustavo and Rafinha completely dominated the midfield. On 58 minutes, Espinosa sent the ball to the post and two minutes later, Deulofeu skipped past Lechuga and scored Barça B’s third. The Andalusians wanted to close out the season with a win in front of their home crowd but they are completely overrun by FC Barcelona B. Halfway through the second half, Jonathan Dos Santos scored his team’s fourth after a beautiful set piece play. The Barça B players were comfortable on the pitch and Xerez were done. On 75 minutes, Rafinha scored the fifth of the match after a fantastic assists from Espinosa. Eight minutes later, Espinosa scored the last goal of the game after a fantastic collective play. Another season will start in a couple of months and Eusebio’s students will return to the classrooms at the Ciutat Esportiva with the same quality, ambition, work ethic and an insatiable eagerness to please.