Barcelona wasn´t going to miss a date with Real Madrid and will go head to head with the whites in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey after the tough match against Malaga at La Rosaleda last night. With Jordi Roura on the bench and with Malaga holding a slight advantage after the first leg at the Nou Camp, the Catalans were very unforgiving and are still on their way to do the triple.
Malaga tried to impress on everyone that it wants to be among the greats of Spanish football. It did it by getting rid of its small team complex and stared Barcelona FC in the eyes. A goalless draw wasn’t on Malaga’s agenda and took the game to the visitors.
Just after 8 minutes on the clock and Kameni was called into action and had to pick the ball out of the back of the net from a goal by Pedro. Xavi put a perfect through ball to Dani Alves, who provided the assist for Pedro who put the tie in favour of the Catalans.
Barca’s advantage did not last long, however. Joaquin equalized for Malaga on 12 minutes. Pinto was slow in getting down to the ball and the advantage was Malaga’s once again.
Players from both teams had trouble standing up on the pitch. With the scoreboard equal, Malaga began to fight Barcelona for the ball who were late getting into gear. Barca was very permissive in defense and didn’t take the game to the hosts from the beginning.
The game turned into a flurry of attacks with both teams at each other throats and fighting for control.
The second half started the same way as the first half. Four minutes later and Iniesta looked up from the left and sent the he were a striker. Piqué then dedicated his first goal to his newborn son, Milan.
Just as it looked like Barcelona had control of the game, Malaga took advantage of a defensive error and on 68 minutes Roque Santa Cruz found the net for the home side. Seba took on four defenders and found Santa Cruz who joined the attack from the right. The Paraguayan put the ball in the back of the net hitting the post. Pinto was late again getting to the ball.
Far from being stung by the draw and the possibility of extra time looming, Barcelona didn’t change any of their plans. Iniesta, Cesc, Xavi and Messi started to weave in and out of the midfield and moved the ball around as if it were a training session, beating their opponents mercilessly. Iniesta made it 2-3 to Barca on 75 minutes and beat Kameni who was rushing out to meet him.
The third goal more or less sentenced the Cup-tie. Malaga had put all its eggs in one basket and Barcelona was merciless. They wore Malaga down and then went in for the kill. Messi still had time to score with a guided header from an Alves centre from the right and saw the last minutes of the match from the bench.
Malaga failed to maintain the pace of the match and time was running out. It was too late and now Barcelona meet Real Madrid in the semi finals of the Copa del Rey.
We ar goin to defeat madrid both home nd away.up mesi,up barca