Barcelona drop home record against Villarreal

Barcelona drop home record against Villarreal

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta (L-R) pose the 6 trophies the team won during the 2009 season, before their Spanish first division soccer league match against Villarreal at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, January 2, 2010.

MADRID, Jan. 2 -- FC Barcelona could only draw 1-1 at home to Villarreal in the biggest game played this Saturday in Spain's Primera Liga.

The pre-match ceremonies saw the Barca players receive the applause of the supporters in the Camp Nou stadium for the six trophies the team had won in 2009.

Everything looked to be going to plan when Pedro Rodriguez opened the scoring after seven minutes. The winger collected a rebound after Thierry Henry's shot had hit the crossbar.

Villarreal responded with some flowing football and David Fuster was unfortunate to see his header bounce over the crossbar.

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) fights for the ball against Villarreal's Diego Godin during their Spanish first division soccer league match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, January 2, 2010.

He had better fortune five minutes after the break when his left foot shot from Cani's cross beat Victor Valdes at the keeper's far post.

Barcelona introduced substitute Andres Iniesta after the goal and Iniesta was closest to scoring with a left foot shot that Diego Lopez tipped over the bar.

It was the first Primera Liga game Barcelona has failed to win in its stadium this season.

Earlier in the day a 93rd minute goal from substitute Nikola Zigic gave Valencia a 1-0 win at home to Espanyol.

David Villa, playing in his 200th game for Valencia, had three second half chances to open the scoring, but was denied twice by Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni and once by the woodwork.

Valencia was once again without attacking duo of Pablo Hernandez and David Silva and missed their speed against a well-organized Espanyol side.

Both sides looked to be short of rhythm following the Christmas break and neither keeper was tested in the first half, even though David Villa hit two long range shots straight at Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni.

However, Zigic netted deep into injury time when nobody picked up his run and he was able to head home from eight yards out.

Finally Atletico Madrid also scored a late goal to seal a win at home to Sevilla. The game had been looking for a draw after a poor second half, but Antonio Lopez headed home Simao's 93rd minute free kick to give his side the points.

Renato had headed Sevilla ahead on the stroke of half time, but Atletico equalized with a stroke of fortune four minutes after the break.

Diego Forlan saw his shot blocked by Andres Palop, but the ball bounced back off Sevilla defender Dragutinovich to draw the home side level.

Sevilla was reduced to 10 men 15 minutes from time when Aldo Duscher was shown his second yellow card for a poor challenge on Juan Valera.

Barcelona's Dani Alves controls the ball against Villarreal during their Spanish first division soccer league match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, January 2, 2010.

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts against Villarreal during their Spanish first division soccer league match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, January 2, 2010.
(Reuters)