Following two defeats in all competitions, Barcelona picked up an enormous win at Actual Madrid within the Copa del Rey first leg. The 1-0 win carries over into the second leg in round a month’s time at Camp Nou.
Coming into the sport, the 2 heated rivals have been on contrasting type. Actual Madrid, recent off a draw in opposition to Atletico Madrid within the league, defeated Liverpool at Anfield with 5 objectives in opposition to the hosts. Then again, Barcelona misplaced for the fifth and sixth instances this season in all competitions in a 4 day span. A often resolute protection allowed two objectives at Manchester United earlier than a 1-0 loss at Almeria, which entered that weekend fixture within the relegation zone.
It was a flip on this sport. Actual Madrid, buoyed by the return of Rodrygo, seemed lifeless within the assault. It was a credit score to Barcelona’s protection, arguably the most effective in Europe this season, not less than in league play. Nonetheless, given the accidents Barcelona is coping with it’s a stunning end result for the third Clasico of the season.
The distinction was an personal aim, a becoming tribute provided that Barcelona performed with out its its three high scorers on the season, Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri. All three missed the match with accidents, however could possibly be again for the opposite two Clasico fixtures later this season.
Each groups rating, just one counts
Actual Madrid was the primary crew to place the ball behind the online. Karim Benzema, the membership’s high scorer this season, took down a cross and slotted previous Marc André Ter Stegen. Nonetheless, the ahead was clearly offside, and Barcelona saved the sport scoreless.
Not lengthy after, Actual Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga received caught in possession by a urgent Barcelona midfield. Ferran Torres took on the unfastened ball and performed by means of Franck Kessié. Regardless that Thibaut Courtois saved the preliminary try, the rebound clanked off a retreating Eder Militao and previous a helpless Nacho Fernandez. Eder Militao took on the unlucky designation of an personal aim in El Clasico.
Initially, the assistant referee flagged the play for offside. Nonetheless, the heel of Ferland Mendy saved Kessié onside. The aim stood and proved to be the distinction.
Barcelona protection holds Actual Madrid in Copa del Rey
The speaking level of this sport, although, was the stalwart effort from Barcelona’s protection. Ronaldo Araujo shut down Vinicius Junior on Actual Madrid’s left facet. Karim Benzema was remoted away from making any form of affect between Jules Koundé and Marcos Alonso. The scale of Barcelona on the again did nicely to defend in opposition to crosses.
Remarkably, Actual Madrid took 13 pictures. None of these examined Ter Stegen in aim. After all, the German goalkeeper did issues proper. Sturdy within the air and decisive on the bottom. Actual Madrid out-possessed Barcelona. The hosts out-passed Barcelona. The distinction was an incapability to check Ter Stegen.
Barcelona ought to have had two objectives, in reality. Ferran Torres made a powerful run down the appropriate facet earlier than chopping the ball again to Kessié. Nonetheless, the Ivorian’s shot heading in the right direction, which was going to beat Courtois, on the aim line and went extensive.
There’s a probability that chance comes again to hang-out Barcelona. This was the primary of the three contests to characteristic lower than 4 objectives. Subsequently, each these groups are able to scoring. That’s what Actual Madrid should do at Camp Nou on April 5 on ESPN+.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Pressinphoto
