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Messi return fails to reignite Barca

Recreativo Huelva's Varela, right, fights for the ball with Barcelona's Gianluca Zambrotta during their Spanish Primera Division match in Huelva on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA

Even Lionel Messi’s return from injury failed to reignite Barcelona’s title bid as Frank Rijkaard watched his side draw 2-2 with Recreativo Huelva on Saturday as they continue to gift the championship to rivals Real Madrid.

Barca twice went in front through Samuel Eto’o but Marco Ruben levelled with a brace of his own and Real would move nine points clear of their rivals with a victory over Real Murcia yesterday.

The Champions League now appears Barcelona’s only hope of silverware this season and the comeback of Argentine winger Messi is a real boost ahead of the semi-final against Manchester United on April 23.

Messi had been sidelined since tearing a muscle in his left leg on March 5 but returned to action coming on as a substitute on 64 minutes.

Rijkaard had been jeered by the Camp Nou fans as his team defeated Schalke 1-0 to reach the Champions League semi-finals so he was probably glad to be away from home at Recreativo.

Eto’o got Barca off to the best possible start heading in a cross after just 70 seconds.

Barca then showed the type of defending that will have Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson smiling.

Argentine midfielder Ruben equalized with a header that didn’t look to have crossed the line but it was nothing more than Huelva deserved.

Eto’o put Barca back in front seconds into the second half with a breathtaking right-footed volley into the top corner but their backline was all at sea and Ruben equalized again.

Like Rijkaard, Valencia coach Ronald Koeman is under pressure and must pick up his team’s spirits for Wednesday’s Kings Cup final against Getafe after a morale-sapping 2-1 home reverse against Racing Santander on Saturday.

Mohamed Tchite struck nine minutes from time to condemn Valencia to a ninth home defeat after David Villa’s 64th minute penalty had cancelled out Gonzalo Colsa’s opener four minutes earlier.

Valencia lie 14th in the standings and Koeman, who only took over in October, will know that lifting the cup is a must to salvage a terrible campaign and possibly save his job.

“I have a contract here and want to fulfill it,” Koeman said. “Big teams always have highs and lows and we have to be calm. We have a chance to win a piece of silverware — not many teams can say the same thing.”

Valencia start as slight favorites against Getafe, cup finalists for the second season running, on Wednesday.

For Racing the late win was vital as they chase a Champions League place and they are now level on points with fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.AFP, MADRID

Even Lionel Messi’s return from injury failed to reignite Barcelona’s title bid as Frank Rijkaard watched his side draw 2-2 with Recreativo Huelva on Saturday as they continue to gift the championship to rivals Real Madrid.

Barca twice went in front through Samuel Eto’o but Marco Ruben levelled with a brace of his own and Real would move nine points clear of their rivals with a victory over Real Murcia yesterday.

The Champions League now appears Barcelona’s only hope of silverware this season and the comeback of Argentine winger Messi is a real boost ahead of the semi-final against Manchester United on April 23.

Messi had been sidelined since tearing a muscle in his left leg on March 5 but returned to action coming on as a substitute on 64 minutes.

Rijkaard had been jeered by the Camp Nou fans as his team defeated Schalke 1-0 to reach the Champions League semi-finals so he was probably glad to be away from home at Recreativo.

Eto’o got Barca off to the best possible start heading in a cross after just 70 seconds.

Barca then showed the type of defending that will have Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson smiling.

Argentine midfielder Ruben equalized with a header that didn’t look to have crossed the line but it was nothing more than Huelva deserved.

Eto’o put Barca back in front seconds into the second half with a breathtaking right-footed volley into the top corner but their backline was all at sea and Ruben equalized again.

Like Rijkaard, Valencia coach Ronald Koeman is under pressure and must pick up his team’s spirits for Wednesday’s Kings Cup final against Getafe after a morale-sapping 2-1 home reverse against Racing Santander on Saturday.

Mohamed Tchite struck nine minutes from time to condemn Valencia to a ninth home defeat after David Villa’s 64th minute penalty had cancelled out Gonzalo Colsa’s opener four minutes earlier.

Valencia lie 14th in the standings and Koeman, who only took over in October, will know that lifting the cup is a must to salvage a terrible campaign and possibly save his job.

“I have a contract here and want to fulfill it,” Koeman said. “Big teams always have highs and lows and we have to be calm. We have a chance to win a piece of silverware — not many teams can say the same thing.”

Valencia start as slight favorites against Getafe, cup finalists for the second season running, on Wednesday.

For Racing the late win was vital as they chase a Champions League place and they are now level on points with fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
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