There are some fixtures in sport that are equally important for both players and fans alike. FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid on Monday Night was one such event. The El Clásico at Camp Nou turned out to be a nightmare for the Madrid players and fans who went back with a 5-0 defeat while the Barça brigade marched triumphantly dressed in their blue and red jerseys.
Jose Mourinho’s boys were sent home demolished and striped of their unbeaten streak of 26 games.
Barça’s game was a complete delight to watch, it was skilled, coordinated, directed and simply exquisite.
Lionel “The Wonder Boy” Messi proved once again why he is one of, if not, the best footballer around. He struck the woodwork six minutes into the game and his intensity set the tone the game would follow. Though he remained goalless in the fixture, he was very much like a fearless infantry man throughout the game, in front and involved in 3 of the 5 goals scored.
What seemed to be a goal galore turned out to be a one sided bout which ended with nothing less but a knockout. Ten minutes into the game Iniesta’s assist and Xavi’s ball control put in the first goal for Barça and it looked as if Madrid would level the score soon. The Barça fans roared once again in the 17th minute when Villa pushed the ball to Pedro who drove the ball right into the back of the net. “Cute boy” Ronaldo’s nerves gave way very early in the game when he pushed Pep Guardiola, the Barça coach, who wouldn’t give him the ball on the sidelines. Nine minutes into the second half Messi finds Villa in striking position, passes the ball and Villa sends in the 3rd Barça goal of the night. Mourinho looked on stunned but unfortunately for him his horror had just begun, 3 minutes later a beautiful volley from Messi, gave Villa the chance to score his second and Barça’s 4th goal for the night. The scattered Madrid defense was now demolished. To make matters worse, 1 minute into extra time, Jeffren Saurez hammered in the last nail into Madrid’s coffin by striking the 5th and final goal, raising the score to 5-0 before the whistle ended Madrid humiliating El Clásico defeat.
The Barça players walked around the field, waving and celebrating the victory with their supporters. Real Madrid’s prize player Cristiano Ronaldo looked around in dismay and Jose “the Special One” Mourinho sat slumped in his seat, defeated, Barcelona proved a point, they were the better team by miles that night and Mourinho’s Madrid looked like a bully put in his place.
Barça’s players performed like a group of fierce and skilled gladiators whereas Madrid came out of the game looking like a bunch of novice bullfighters, scarred and covered in blood.
Real Madrid’s frustration showed in the eight yellow cards and one red card they carried from the game. Barcelona also received 5 yellow cards as scars of battle. Like all competitions between two fierce and ‘eternal’ rivals this too was a aggressive, pungent, thrilling and satisfying event… thrilling just for the Barcelona fans, I guess.
Barcelona took the top spot in La Liga with a difference of, as Madrid fans put it, “just two points” on the table, yet they remain five goals apart on the field. Undoubtedly this fixture will be remembered by both Barça and Madrid fans for years to come.
As Real Madrid and FC Barcelona find their way along the UEFA Champion’s League route, lets hope its as exciting as ‘a Barça style El Clásico execution‘.
No comments:
Post a Comment