Raphael Varane keeps Real Madrid’s hopes alive

The clasico match last night at the Bernabéu ended in a 1-1 draw. We could say that it was a fair result for both sides and the tie will have to be resolved in the Nou Camp next month. Cesc scored for the Catalans and Frenchman Raphael Varane, who had a terrific game for the merengues, found the net for Real Madrid. He saved Madrid on various occasions last night against a Barcelona team that wanted to win at all cost.

After a frantic first half with attacks from both sides, a poor clearance by José Callejon was picked up by none other than Leo Messi who gave it to Fabregás. Cesc fired the ball in low and Diego López, who also had a great game, failed to get a hand on it.

One nil down and Real Madrid began to feel the side effects. All that was achieved in the first half was suddenly undone. It was clear that Real Madrid were holding on to this match but Barcelona, ??with chances from both Fabregás and Pedro, failed to put distance between the two sides.

The match was a tough one and both teams came to win. Real Madrid and Barcelona used all their artillery and the battle was thrilling.

Madrid began the match by pushing forward. The merengue strategy became quite clear. Cristiano Ronaldo was all over the place and it took a great Piqué to stop him. Piqué was shown a yellow card in the first half, which had the opposite effect on the Barca central defender. Barca took a while to wake up in the Bernabéu but ended up taking control.

Barcelona used their patience to generate some fine chances. A free kick by Xavi Hernandez skimmed off the crossbar helped by keeper Diego Lopez. The other chance came courtesy of Carvalho, who was living on a knife’s edge. He sold Diego López short with a terrible back pass that Cesc latched on to. He passed it back to Xavi to finish the job but found an incredible Varane plucking the ball from the goal line.

For Real Madrid, Benzema found the side netting, which was their best chance in a first half played at break neck speed.

Just after the break, Cesc tipped the balance of play and found the net on 50 minutes. Then Modric and Higuain came with Mourinho looking for a goal at least. Barcelona was also looking to find a second goal and Diego López denied young Jordi Alba that chance.

Real Madrid had the match drawn on a header but it wasn’t to be. He who did manage to draw the match though was young Raphael Varane who managed to out jump both Piqué and Cesc with a fine header from a perfectly weighted cross from Ozil with just ten minutes of play remaining.