Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 2: match report

Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 2: match report

Read a full match report of the Champions League semi-final first leg between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday April 27.

LIVE

REPORT

REAL MADRID

0 - 2

FT

BARCELONA

Wednesday, April 27 19:45

Champions League

Santiago Bernab/div>

(HT 0-0)

Messi (76, 87)

 

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Killer blow: Lionel Messi pounces to score his first goal Photo: AFP

 

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Seeing red: Pepe is dismissed for a second-half foul Photo: AFP

 

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Pass it on: Jose Mourinho, sent off for dissent, passes a piece of paper to an assistant Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Henry Winter, at the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid 10:00PM BST 27 Apr 2011

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Two moments of beauty stood out amidst the beastliness of the Game of Shame last night. Two moments of magic from Lionel Messi, his second goal echoing Diego Maradona’s dribbled gem against England in 1986, rescued this match from the dark ages. Clasico, crasico.

But for Messi remembering that football should be about joy, adventure and imagination, and Xavi also playing with style, this was the game that dignity forgot. There was no respect, no charm, no integrity.

In front of a global audience stretching into the hundreds of millions, this Champions League semi-final proved more head-case than showcase. It was scarred by play-acting from both sides, constant surrounding of the referee, Wolfgang Stark, a tunnel ruck at half-time and a red card for Pepe.

The Real midfielder’s dismissal came for a studs-up challenge on Dani Alves, the Barcelona right-back who would be deemed too theatrical for RADA. Such was the poverty of player conduct that at times it made the World Cup final in Johannesburg look like a kickabout at Woodstock. Real’s coach, Jose Mourinho, was so enraged that he was sent to the stands by Stark.

As England gets ready for the Royal Wedding, Europe prepares for the Reading of the Bans by Uefa. Mourinho can expect a lengthy suspension. The Special One is an exceptional coach but he embarrassed a great club here. Real Madrid, nine-times winner of the European Cup, are associated with loftier virtues than espoused by Mourinho on Wednesday night.

The exhortation from the home fans to their idols had been clear. One banner, unfurled as Cristiano Ronaldo and company lined up, said it all: “We Live For You-So Win For Us”.

They never came close. Containment and frustration were more in Real minds. Mourinho had hoped to grind Barcelona into submission, then introduce creative cavalry like Kaka from the bench.

The Special One had again sought to confuse Barcelona with an attack that lacked an orthodox centre-forward. With Emmanuel Adebayor, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain amongst £140million worth of talent on the bench, Real started with Ronaldo through the middle flanked by Mesut Ozil and the left-sided Angel di Maria. There was little central focus and it was little surprised when Adebayor arrived for Ozil at the break.

Barcelona had known they were in for a test; people had kept talking about glimpses of vulnerability. Their defence had Carles Puyol at left-back and Javier Mascherano at centre-half, his early hesistancy almost exploited by Ronaldo.

But there is so much skill within the Catalan ranks. Xavi gave early notice, a meaty volley into Casillas’ arms. Real responded, Ronaldo trying his luck from range but failing to trouble Victor Valdes.

Barcelona soon settled. Xavi was trying to dictate the rhythm. So Pepe tracked his movement, so did Lass Diarra, clipping his heels. It was not pretty. Xavi was undeterred, trying to push on, linking well with Lionel Messi after 12 minutes, sweeping the ball wide to Pedro, whose cross was cleared.

As Real stood off, Barcelona were enjoying the ball’s company for long periods. After 16 minutes, Ronaldo shouted for his team-mates to squeeze up, to assist him in closing down Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets. The Bernabéu crowd shared his frustration, whistling as Barcelona were allowed to build.

Real were too cautious, too focused on the tactics of denial. Ronaldo was a ray of light, always attempting to find a way through. Real briefly began raising their game, Marcelo embarking on a rampaging run through Dani Alves and Mascherano. Real’s fans loved it, believing it might prove a catalyst. False dawn.

Barcelona looked the likelier to open the scoring. One glorious move saw them at their inventive, fast-moving best. Messi turned away from Xabi Alonso, and passed to David Villa, whose effort was saved. Xavi then went close.

Barcelona fans were chanting abuse about Mourinho, drawing a stinging retort from the locals. The temperature, stoked in those infamous press conferences, continued to rise. The half concluded with tempers spilling over. Alvaro bodychecked Pedro. Marcelo caught Busquets, triggering a flare-up between Alonso and Pique.

The carnage continued in the second half. Ramos was booked for elbowing Messi, and misses next week’s second leg. Then Pepe went in high and late on Alves, earning that red card. Barcelona players milked it, surrounding poor Stark. Puyol and Mourinho had a brisk debate over rival philosophies on the touchlines.

Soon Mourinho was banished to the stands, the embarrassments continuing for the hosts. Then came that moment of magic from Barcelona. Ibrahim Affelay had arrived and had immediately started running hungrily at Marcelo. Never the most defensively expert, Marcelo was comprehensively beaten by Affelay, whose cross was perfectly weighted for Messi to beat Casillas.

The sublime Argentine’s 52nd goal of another remarkable season was epic, and surely sets up a final against Manchester United at Wembley on May 28. Messi picked up the ball 50 yards out and just ran and ran, control and determination, taking him past Diarra, Ramos, Albiol and Marceloa before sliding the ball past Casillas. That wasn’t a dribble, that was an odyssey.

“It’s not the first time he has done that,’’ enthused Pep Guardiola. “He has wonderful ability to take on players, and he’s only 23, and already the third highest top scorer at Barcelona! Third! At a 100-year-old club! It’s absolutely incredible. That’s the beauty of our football and the way we play.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, who was here on Wednesday, must make special plans for Messi and Xavi. Real fans will look on from afar and wonder whether Mourinho’s tactics, focusing on containment, had cost them dear.

Barcelona fans were loving it, taunting their Real counterparts, and chanting “time to go, Mourinho”. Time to re-think tactics certainly.
Telegraph.feedsportal.com