The biggest game in club football, in arguably the grandest setting possible, lived up to its hype as Barcelona entertained Rl Madrid at the Camp Nou in the firstEl Clasico of the sson. Barcelona hammered Rl 5-0 in what was barely even a contest, courtesy of rly goals from Xavi Hernandez and Pedro Rodriguez, a second half brace from summer signing David Villa and an injury time fifth from substitute Jeffren.
There was talent everywhere one looked on the pitch as 11 World Cup winners took the field for arguably the biggest El Clasico in recent memory. In addition to the champions, there were 10 players who had been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or including the last two winners-Messrs. Ronaldo and Messi. Barcelona lined-up as expected with the three pronged attack of Messi,Villa and Pedro,with the little Artine wizard playing down the center and the two Spanish forwards on either flank. Eric Abidal despite his age,started at left-back,presumably to also add some much needed height to the Barcelona side on set plays. Rl lost striker Gonzalo Higuain on the morning of the game,though had an able replacement in a very much in-form French striker Karim Benzema. The German pairing of Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira were playing in their first El Clasico and it was a trial by fire for the two youngsters against the Barcelona tricksters Xavi and Iniesta.
Barcelona started the game on the front foot with Messi rning the first shot of any significance. His dink in the 6th minute from the right edge of the box following a short corner routine bt Iker Casillas from an impossible angle,but kissed the woodwork very tly before rolling back into play. It did not take Barca long to take the ld though as Iniesta's defence splitting pass in the 10th minute was knocked up for Xavi off the outstretched boot of a defender and the alan champion kept his cool to place it over the on rushing Casillas.·
The Spanish keeper was partially to blame for Barca's second goal as was some slack defending from Sergio Ramos. The right back failed to close down David Villa on the byeline,and the former Valencia hitman hit a low cross which was parried in the direction of his goal by Casillas lving the alert Pedro with the simplest of tap-ins.
Rl were completely getting outplayed off the pitch at this stage,and despite improving the physicality of their play failed to match Barca in terms of work rate and closing men down. The game,which had been practically tackle-less till the midway point of the first half,got rather cynical as the clock was winding down. Ronaldo and Victor Valdes were both booked for their role in a touchline fracas after the Portuguese forward pushed Barca coach Pep Guardiola for not handing the ball to him. On the pitch Pepe joined them in the referee's note book for a pull back on Messi, who himself was booked later for feigning injury. The referee Senor Gonzalez continued to have a fantastic first half when he refused Ronaldo a penalty after legitimate contact between him and Valdez inside the ar. Dare we say, other referee's at other venues may not have been quite so forgiving.
Barca went into the brk 2-0 up,and Rl responded at the interval by replacing the anonymous Ozil with the former Chels and Arsenal defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra. The change did little to stem the constant Barca pressure as the hosts continued to crte chances after the brk.
David Villa made the game safe in a magical three minute spell rly in the second half as he latched on to two grt passes from Messi to make it 4-0 to Barcelona before the hour mark. Barca had plenty more opportunities to add to their total with substitute Bojan being denied by Casillas in the 78th minute. Barca did get a well deserved fifth in injury time with Bojan squaring the ball for another sub Jeffren who prodded home from close range.
Barcelona dominated all facets of this game,and the only ar where they were outdone by Rl was in the dirty challenge department. In addition to the 7 yellow cards they collected,Sergio Ramos was sent off presumably for a on Messi,though replays indied that it was Diarra who actually made the challenge. In fairness though Ramos did shove both Puyol and Xavi in the face on his way off,and the young right-back's controversial week just went from bad to worse (sent off for time wasting in Champions Lgue action midweek).
The unsung heroes for Barca on the pitch were their four defenders, who completely marked Ronaldo & Co. out of the game. Sergio Busquets, in addition, did all the dirty work, making sure the forward thinking players had more than enough time on the ball, and his role in this massive win cannot be understated.
Victory for Barcelona sees them lpfrog Rl into top spot in the La Liga table and perhaps more importantly make it 5 El Clasico wins on the trot for Pep Guardiola since taking over as Barcelona boss. Incidentally, his opposite Jose Mourinho is yet to win at the Camp Nou, now having an equal of defts and draws in his 6 visits.
Tms:
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Abidal, Pique, Puyol, Busquets, Xavi (Keita 87'),Iniesta,Pedro(Jeffren 87'), Messi, Villa (Bojan 76').
Rl Madrid:Casillas,Sergio Ramos,Marcelo(Arbeloa 60'), Carvalho, Pepe, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Ozil (L Diarra 45'),Di Maria,Ronaldo,Benzema.
Final Sine:Barcelona 5-0 Rl Madrid(Xavi 10', Pedro 18',Villa 55', 58',Jeffren 91')
File PhotographCopyright:Darz Mol
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