Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona game
José Mourinho lost the battle with Pep Guardiola once again. Barcelona went to the Santiago Bernabeu to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter finals, despite an early goal from Cristiano Ronaldo and going into the interval with a 1-0 lead.
The Portuguese coach had two surprises in his starting line-up by bringing in the Turkish international Altintop (rarely used this season) on the right side of the defense and Ricardo Carvalho in the center of defense, after being away for months recovering from an injury.
In front of the defense, Pepe was once again placed alongside Xabi Alonso and Lass Diarra, forming the now famous ‘trivote’, an expression that fell into fashion in the Spanish press.
And the formula paid off right away. In a fast counter-attack started on the left by Real Madrid, Benzema released the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo who avoided Gerard Pique and sent a left footed shot into the nets on the 11th minute.
Real Madrid took advantage of the only shot on target they made during the first part. In the remaining minutes of the first half, Barcelona created an avalanche of dangerous plays towards the Real Madrid goal, with the best chance coming from an Alexis Sanchez header that hit the bar after a cross from Cesc Fabregas.
Barcelona returned in the second half with different ideas. At 49 minutes, Xavi took a corner kick and Puyol headed in the equalizer for Barcelona before the passivity of Pepe. Barca were already demonstrating their superiority in ball possession which had already surpassed the 70 percent mark at this time.
Barcelona went ahead 2-1 on 78 minutes from a player that you would least expect; Abidal. From the right of the attack, Messi saw that the French player on the left alone, sent him the ball and Abidal dominated it with his chest and shot past the helpless Casillas. Interestingly, Barcelona today announced they were renewing their contract with the French international.
Guardiola’s Barcelona pulled another victory at the Bernabeu, the fifth since Pep became coach of Catalan team. If we look into the history books, this victory allowed the tables to be balanced in the “clasicos”, between the two main rivals in Spanish football, now with 86 wins for each side in a struggle that began in the distant year of 1904.
Barcelona leaves Madrid with an important advantage for the second leg at Camp Nou on the 25th of January. The last time both teams met in Catalonia was in early December, for the Spanish championship.
José Mourinho and Real Madrid have still not found a way to get out of the trap that Pep Guardiola and his team have set up every time they meet. The same goes with the duel between Ronaldo vs Messi that once again has gone to the Argentinian even though Cristiano Ronaldo scored tonight and Messi did not, if that’s any sort of consolation for the Portuguese international.
