Rangers 0 Barcelona 0

Last updated : 23 October 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Rangers achieved a valiant point with this draw against Barcelona and although they were outplayed for most of the match, the Gers restricted the Catalan side to very few clear cut chances.

Ronaldinho came closest for the visitors with a 30-yard free-kick in the first half which crashed back off the crossbar.

The match ended tamely with Barca as happy as the home team to see out time. The draw suits both teams who remain joint top of the group on seven points apiece.

In the opening minutes Eidur Gudjohnsen's header from a Xavi cross flashed just wide. Rangers responded with Nacho Novo sending in a dangerous cross which Daniel Cousin just failed to reach.

Sasa Papac made his third tackle to deny Ronaldinho on the edge of the box. Alan Hutton fouled Ronaldinho 30 yards out and the Brazilian's powerful free-kick struck the bar though it did look as though keeper Allan McGregor had managed to get a hand to it.

Rangers were pinned back for long spells and Andres Iniesta's shot was deflected into McGregor's arms as Barcelona stepped up the pressure.

Carles Puyol skipped past Papac and from his cut-back it looked certain that Ronaldinho would score, but Charlie Adam bravely blocked his shot from eight yards.

Having survived to half-time Rangers did not wish to give anything away early in the second-half, but Gudjohnsen struck a powerful drive which McGregor did well to keep out.

Rangers tried to take the match to Barcelona and Alan Hutton's powerful run ended with Puyol happy to clear over his own bar.

Thierry Henry missed a tremendous chance for the visitors when he headed weakly wide after Messi's cross was deflected to him.

Cousin, who roamed tirelessly up front for Rangers, curled in a superb cross which Novo and Barry Ferguson just failed to reach.

Rangers applied some late pressure and forced two corners in quick succession. Adam drove the ball across the face of goal which the Spanish defence only partially cleared. Ferguson's chip back into the box was met by Cousin but the striker volleyed narrowly over.

It was Rangers' best chance, but by the end both sides were happy to settle for a share of the points.