I suppose it’s too much to ask these days, for an El Classico not to end with a mass brawl. Yet that should not detract from a fantastic match, which neither side deserved to lose but was decided inevitably by the brilliance of Lionel Messi. Barcelona’s 3-2 victory and overall aggregate victory of 5-4 will hurt Real Madrid who will feel, with justification, that they were the better side for the majority of the tie. Yet in the cold light of day they will have to accept that sometimes you cannot legislate for the genius of Messi.
Madrid started from where they left off at the Bernabeu, pressing Barca high up the pitch with pace, aggression and menace. Valdes was once again hurried into clearances as the Blaugrana conceded possession time and time again. However once Barca did manage to get the ball down and play, they looked a threat and just as on Sunday it was they who drew first blood.
Messi skipped past two challenges and played an inch perfect slide rule pass for Iniesta to run through on goal, who toyed with Casillas before impudently chipping ball over him and into the net. The goal settled Barca who were beginning to look like themselves again before they were undone by their inability to defend a corner properly. As the ball fell to an unmarked Benzema he drilled the ball back in the box and a combination of Ramos and Ronaldo were there to divert the goal into the net to make it 1-1.
Thereafter it was Madrid who looked the more accomplished team, Ronaldo hit the bar via Valdes, and Ozil forced the Barca keeper into a fingertip save when perhaps the better option would have been to square the ball. As half time loomed, Messi delivered another moment of genius to restore his teams lead.
From a corner Barca typically played a few passes before the ball was played into Pique, the defender played an exquisite backheel into the path of Messi, who glided away from a lunging Ronaldo (what a poignant image that is) before clipping the ball past Casillas. Thus ended a breathless first half. It was a half, which finally showcased why El Classico is the most eagerly anticipated match in football.
It was impossible for the match to sustain such a high tempo, and so it proved as the second half was a scrappy, bitty affair with neither side able to take control. Too many fouls and stoppages ruined the rhythm of the game, but Madrid were the better side and deservedly equalised through Benzema. Once again Barca failed to deal with a corner properly, and after a spot of ping ball in the box, Benzema was on hand to turn the ball home.
Madrid were jubilant and must have fancied themselves as extra time beckoned, due to their superior fitness. Cesc Fabregas was entered into the fray to the delight of the Nou Camp, and he was involved as Barca snatched a dramatic winner. The former Gunner played a pass into Adriano who in turn played an incisive one two with Messi who smashed home a stunning volley to send the Barca players and fans into raptures.
It looked as though Barca would hold on without further drama but then an incident occurred which highlights all the negatives about this fixture. As Fabregas collected the ball on the touchline Marcelo hacked him down with a despicable tackle, which could conceivably have broken his leg. He was duly shown a straight red, and thankfully Cesc was fine, however the tackle sparked a mass ruckus between the opposing camps.
A number of incidents occurred in the ensuing melee, with Mouriniho getting involved and eye gouging the Barcelona assistant coach before retreating and making childish kissing gestures, and Villa was sent off for an alleged slap on Ozil.
Once everything had calmed down, Barca ran down the clock to clinch the first trophy of the season. It was Guardiola’s 11th of his tenure at the Nou Camp and brings him level with his mentor Johan Cyuff. For Real Madrid it was another case of leaving the Nou Camp with their tales firmly between their legs.
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