Leo Messi has won Wednesday’s El Clasico by himself as Barcelona left Madrid with a comprehensive 2-0 victory. Pep Guardiola’s side scored the two goals after the home side got down to ten men. Pepe was cautioned by the referee with a straight red card in the 60th minute. Just one minute later, Real got stripped of Jose Mourinho, too, following wide protests over the referee decision. On the other side, Barcelona were simply trying to do their best and grab a first leg lead. The Catalans finished the game with 78 percent of possession and five attempts on goal and were by far the better side on Bernabeu.
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Villa was the first to try bringing the first lead, but his 18-yard shot went just wide, while Xabi got his first opportunity in the 24th minute. The midfielder was picked by Messi inside the box but his strike hit Casillas. As expected, the first half went scoreless, the last minutes finding both sides conceding two yellow cards. First, Arbeola took down Pedro, while Alves was cautioned for a trip on Di Maria in the 44th minute. Madrid’s biggest chance came just before the half time. Ronaldo won the ball outside the box, his shot hitting Valdez in the chest to the Portuguese’s dismay.
Mourinho introduced Adebayor for Ozil at the break but things didn’t change too much in attack. The half time brought at the same time Pinto’s elimination following a blow-up between the two staffs. Ramos and Mascherano were the next to receive a yellow card for clumsy interventions on Messi and Pepe respectively. But things degenerated much worse in the 60th minute.
Pepe’s intervention on Alves brought the Brazilian a straight red card. The decision made Jose Mourinho get out of his mind, his reactions being also punished with a seat in the stands. Six minutes later, Real won a free-kick Alonso struck inside the box. Ronaldo met the cross but his header went just over the crossbar. Barca broke back seconds later, Villa’s powerful shot being saved by the same Casillas. Guardiola then introduced Afellay for Pedro.
The Dutch helped Messi bring the first lead just five minutes later. Afellay won the ball on the right, beat Marcelo and fed the Argentine in front of the goal. Messi’s first touch beat Casillas and put the Catalans one step into the big final. Frustration brought Adebayor a deserved yellow card with eight minutes remaining. The Togolese took Busquets down in the middle as Real conceded their third yellow. Finally, Messi made it 2-0 following a lovely individual action. The Ballon d’Or picked the ball 30 yards out only to start a long distance drive towards the goal. Messi beat three defenders to strike it home into the far post, past diving Casillas.
Barcelona have gone one step into the last term, the second leg being scheduled to take place next Tuesday on Camp Nou. Pep Guardiola’s side could face Manchester United in the final and reiterate the 2009 clash. Alex Ferguson’s side beat Schalke 04 2-0 on Tuesday and host the Germans next Wednesday.
Real Madrid – Casillas; Marcelo, Albiol, Ramos, Arbeola; Alonso, Pepe, Diarra; Di Maria, Ozil; Cristiano Ronaldo. Reserves: Kaka, E. Adebayor, G. Higuain, E. Garay, K. Benzema, A. Adan, E. Granero.
FC Barcelona – Victor Valdez; Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol; Busquets, Keita, Xabi; Villa, Pedro; Messi. Reserves: Thiago, S. Roberto, A. Fontas, J. Pinto, G. Milito, I. Afellay, Jeffren.
