Minors Villanovense hold Barca

SPANISH third-tier minnows Villanovense enjoyed the most famous night of their history as they held an understrength Barcelona 0-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie yesterday.

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 Dec 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.”