by Fotbulnary
One of the biggest matches in club football El classico took place over the weekend at the Nou Camp. It was the second installment of this season's meetings between the two giants of Spanish football. Barcelona alienated Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first meeting in November. It was a defeat that set the tone for Rafael Benitez's eventual dismissal weeks later. Barcelona did not put a foot wrong in the reverse fixture in the Spanish capital.
However, it was a different match on Saturday. Real Madrid came into the match ten points behind their bitter rivals. The Catalans where effectively running away with the title. And since their first meeting in the first stanza of the league, a lot has changed between the two teams. Not least the managerial changes that Real Madrid underwent.
It was Zidane's biggest match since he was made manger in mid season. Real Madrid have had mixed fortunes in away matches in the league since the Frenchman took over. They have been high scorers at home, while they have struggled away from home to score the number of goals they score at home. And defensively, they have not be solid. As goalkeeper Navas have had to pull out some outstanding saves to keep Madrid in several matches.
Barcelona on the other hand were riding on the crest of a 39 match unbeaten in all competitions that went back to last year.
The match started with Barcelona all over Real Madrid, as los blancos struggled to move out of their half with Karim Benzema completely isolated upfront cutting a frustrated figure. Still they managed to keep the score at nil-nil going into the half time break despite the presence of Neymar, Messi and Suarez. However, the first yellow card Sergio Ramos picked up in the first half was something that worked against him later.
Gerard Pique evetually gave Barcelona the lead early in the second half after he escaped the attention of Pepe from a corner kick. At that point, it was a well deserved lead from the la liga champions. But Gareth Bale was having a good game, while Benzema had come into the game after a quiet first half. He eventually leveled the scores mid way through the second half.
At this point. it was a case of the next scorer would eventually take home the spoils. Barcelona was the fancied team to score with their front three which have 103 goals within them this season.
Sergio Ramos was eventually sent off. And he should have been sent off much earlier after series of tackles and elbowing that he should have been cautioned for. With that decision, Barcelona had the momentum but it was Ronaldo who scored the winner late on from a Bale assist.
The sequence of events in the match was hinged on the inclusion of Real Madrid's Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro. The midfielder was instrumental to the victory, as he practically prevented either of Messi, Neymar and Suarez from scoring with vital tackles and blocks around the penalty box. It was this decision that made Zidane a genius, and having played his card, some luck had to come in at key moments of the match. However, back in November, Real Benitez succumbed to pressure from fans to be less conservative when he failed to include the Brazilian in midfield. On the day, Barcelona had a free reign in midfield as they ran out ease 4-0 winners.
The victory reinforces the point that an archetypal defensive midfielder is a necessity in an attacking team which have more forward leaning players than defensive players. it is what brings balance to a team which opens the way for the others to flourish.
The win over Barcelona would certainly strengthen Zidane's position as Real Madrid's manager. And they would essentially be buoyed going into the tie against Wolfsburg. Meanwhile, Barcelona would have to negotiate another difficult tie against Altetico Madrid in the Champions League.
One of the biggest matches in club football El classico took place over the weekend at the Nou Camp. It was the second installment of this season's meetings between the two giants of Spanish football. Barcelona alienated Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first meeting in November. It was a defeat that set the tone for Rafael Benitez's eventual dismissal weeks later. Barcelona did not put a foot wrong in the reverse fixture in the Spanish capital.
However, it was a different match on Saturday. Real Madrid came into the match ten points behind their bitter rivals. The Catalans where effectively running away with the title. And since their first meeting in the first stanza of the league, a lot has changed between the two teams. Not least the managerial changes that Real Madrid underwent.
It was Zidane's biggest match since he was made manger in mid season. Real Madrid have had mixed fortunes in away matches in the league since the Frenchman took over. They have been high scorers at home, while they have struggled away from home to score the number of goals they score at home. And defensively, they have not be solid. As goalkeeper Navas have had to pull out some outstanding saves to keep Madrid in several matches.
Barcelona on the other hand were riding on the crest of a 39 match unbeaten in all competitions that went back to last year.
The match started with Barcelona all over Real Madrid, as los blancos struggled to move out of their half with Karim Benzema completely isolated upfront cutting a frustrated figure. Still they managed to keep the score at nil-nil going into the half time break despite the presence of Neymar, Messi and Suarez. However, the first yellow card Sergio Ramos picked up in the first half was something that worked against him later.
Gerard Pique evetually gave Barcelona the lead early in the second half after he escaped the attention of Pepe from a corner kick. At that point, it was a well deserved lead from the la liga champions. But Gareth Bale was having a good game, while Benzema had come into the game after a quiet first half. He eventually leveled the scores mid way through the second half.
At this point. it was a case of the next scorer would eventually take home the spoils. Barcelona was the fancied team to score with their front three which have 103 goals within them this season.
Sergio Ramos was eventually sent off. And he should have been sent off much earlier after series of tackles and elbowing that he should have been cautioned for. With that decision, Barcelona had the momentum but it was Ronaldo who scored the winner late on from a Bale assist.
The sequence of events in the match was hinged on the inclusion of Real Madrid's Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro. The midfielder was instrumental to the victory, as he practically prevented either of Messi, Neymar and Suarez from scoring with vital tackles and blocks around the penalty box. It was this decision that made Zidane a genius, and having played his card, some luck had to come in at key moments of the match. However, back in November, Real Benitez succumbed to pressure from fans to be less conservative when he failed to include the Brazilian in midfield. On the day, Barcelona had a free reign in midfield as they ran out ease 4-0 winners.
The victory reinforces the point that an archetypal defensive midfielder is a necessity in an attacking team which have more forward leaning players than defensive players. it is what brings balance to a team which opens the way for the others to flourish.
The win over Barcelona would certainly strengthen Zidane's position as Real Madrid's manager. And they would essentially be buoyed going into the tie against Wolfsburg. Meanwhile, Barcelona would have to negotiate another difficult tie against Altetico Madrid in the Champions League.
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