3rd-tier Villanovens hold Barca scoreless
‘Dream come true to play best club in the world’
MADRID, Oct 29, (AFP): Spanish thirdtier minnows Villanovense enjoyed the most famous night of their history as they held an under-strength Barcelona 0-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie.
Villanovense play at the same level as Barca’s B team in the regional Second Division B, but they more than held their own in a game of very few chances and came closest to scoring just before halftime when Victor Calatrava’s flick flew inches over the bar.
The sides will meet again for the right to reach the last 16 at the Camp Nou on December 2.
“I think we had the right attitude and I am satisfied with what I saw,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique.
“I expected to win the game, that is what we came here to do. We had some chances, although they weren’t clear-cut.
“The result is what it is and now we have the second leg still to play.”
Villanovense captain Angel Pazuelo had to fight back tears of pride as he hailed his side’s defiance against the European champions.
“I don’t think you noticed the difference between the Primera and Segunda B. We gave everything,” he told Canal Plus.
“It is a dream come true to play against the best club in the world at this moment. We are very happy. “The objective isn’t accomplished because we want to play a good game in Barcelona.”
Enrique made nine changes to the side that beat Eibar 3-1 at the weekend with Marc Bartra and Sandro Ramirez the only two players to keep their places.
Indeed, five Barca players were making their first start of the season, including Cameroonian midfielder Wilfrid Kaptoum, who made his first-team debut.
And goalkeeper Jordi Masip said the result was more the fruit of brave Villanovense defending than a missed opportunity for Barca’s youngsters to make their case for more playing time. GAVA, Spain, Oct 29, (AFP): Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano admitted to two counts of tax fraud totalling just over 1.5 million euros ($1.64 million) before a judge on Thursday.
Mascherano arrived at the court in Gava, a coastal town on the outskirts of Barcelona where the player resides, at 09:00 local time (08:00 GMT) accompanied by his lawyers.
His testimony before the court lasted barely five minutes as he recognised having committed the crime.
Spanish state prosecutors alleged
“I think we played well, but we have to congratulate Villanovense. They defended very well,” he said.
“I don’t think it was a bad game on our part because we created chances, it just wasn’t to be. Now we need to resolve the the former West Ham and Liverpool midfielder failed to declare over 1.5 million euros in earnings in 2011 and 2012 by ceding his image rights to companies he owns in Portugal and the United States.
“Mascherano admitted the facts of the two counts of tax fraud, so there was no need to interrogate him,” said a judicial source.
A court filing released last month confirmed Mascherano deposited nearly 1.75 million euros with the tax authorities on Sept 9 to repay the amount owed plus interest.
game at home.”
Roared on by a capacity crowd of under 4,000, the hosts started brightly and had the first attempt on goal when Pablo Angel Moraga fired just wide of the far post.