Xavi Grabs Late, Late Leveller For Barca

Xavi Hernández produced a superb drive to draw the hosts level in Camp Nou and the team left the field to a standing ovation that only moments earlier could have been so different.

Despite having the majority of possession and chances, Barça fell behind midway through the second half to a David Villa goal and looked set to lose for the first time in 15 matches.Valencia arrived at Camp Nou with a very efficient game-plan that involved playing effectively on the counter-attack, maintaining a nine-man defence and breaking up Barça's rhythm

While that worked to an extent, the fact that the visitors are taking anything back to Mestalla for the second leg is thanks to an inspired display by their goalkeeper, Timo Hildebrand.The German custodian made a strong of fine saves to dent the Blaugrana and keep his side in with a chance of claiming an impressive victory.

Hildebrand's busy evening began in the seventh minute as he denied Xavi at close range before Samuel Eto'o hit the rebound at Raúl Albiol and Lionel Messi was the last to take aim only to see the ball chested away. Gaby Milito then fired just over as the chances continued to be created only at one end after Valencia's one attack ended with Joaquín's goal being ruled out for offside.

Thierry Henry shot over the bar as Frank Rijkaard's team were forced to try from long range after finding the visitors' packed defence sometimes too much to break through.Just before the interval, Hildebrand pushed away Éric Abidal's and straight after the break he was forced to keep out a low drive from Messi.

The keeper kept Messi out yet again soon after and made an even better stop as he was at full-stretch to stop Samuel Eto'o scoring.Those saves meant that Valencia had remained level and their forward finally did their defence justice as the away team took a surprise lead.

David Silva played a neat exchange of passes before finding substitute Javier Arizmendi on the right and he sent a low cross into the centre which Villa converted from close range.Immediately after the goal, the visitors livened up and looked capable of adding a second but they were soon pressed back by Barça's desire not to lose.

Andrés Iniesta picked out Gianluca Zambrotta with a diagonal ball on the right and the Italian took aim only to hammer a shot wide of the near post.

Then Milito decided to come forward and have a go and his long range shot was tipped wide by Hildebrand before Touré aimed for the far post with a curling shot the Hildebrand tipped the ball away with a save for the cameras.

There was to be no giving up by the home team and in the 94th minute Eto'o saw his final shot saved, but this time Xavi guided home the rebound. Valencia may have complained that Eto'o pushed away his marker, but they had no real complaints about the result after a compelling encounter set up a scintillating second leg next month.(source: goal.com)