Real Mallorca 0 Barcelona 2: Henry makes instant impact on return for Bara

Pete Jenson
Monday 07 January 2008 01:00 GMT
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Thierry Henry's back is better, which is just as well because Barcelona need him to carry them through four weeks without Samuel Eto'o.

After an impressive second half display on Saturday at the Ono Estadi from the former Arsenal striker, playing his first football in six weeks, the Barcelona coach, Frank Rijkaard, appealed to Henry to lead from the front.

Eto'o who scored the spectacular second goal courtesy of a superb Henry assist will head off to the African Nations Cup in a week and Rijkaard said: "It is vital that Henry leaves behind his injury problems and fully recuperates because for us he is fundamental. I am very happy for him because he had an excellent game. His contribution in the second half was very important."

Barcelona could have been losing as Henry took to the field as twice Mallorca's impressive Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez delivered crosses that his side failed to capitalise on.

Bara then raced to the other end, Eto'o forced a corner and from it Marquez nodded in Xavi's kick.

When Henry came on he was straight into the action clattering into two ferocious tackles and doing what no-one had managed to do all night, keep up with Jonas.

In the final act there was a glimpse of vintage Henry. He glided out of defence carrying the ball as far as Bojan down the left. The 17-year-old tricked his way inside giving the ball back to Henry who gave it to Eto'o to dispatch from 25 yards.

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Lux, Valera, D Navarro, Nunes, F Navarro, Basinas (Trejo 71), Pereyra, Ibagaza, Jonas, Guiza (Victor 49), Arango (Borja 78).

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes, Puyol, Milito, Marquez, Abidal, Xavi, Toure (Edmilson 69), Gudjohnsen (Bojan 45), Iniesta, Eto'o, Giovanni (Henry 64).

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