Barcelona won 1-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu last night and paved their way to a deserved semi final pass for this year’s Copa del Rey. The game started in typical “clasico” fashion with either team showing a full deck until Cristiano Ronaldo put the first goal past a hapless Pinto who is Guardiola’s keeper of choice for the Copa del Rey competition. That was it for half time but the second half saw Barcelona step into their stride more with a goal from captain Carles Puyol which stunned the “Merengues”. Later, Eric Abidal got on the score sheet with another goal and made it 1-2 in Barca’s favour.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave the defending champions the lead after 11 minutes, but second-half goals from Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal mean Barca will feel confident of avenging their defeat to Real in last season’s final when they play the second leg at the Camp Nou next week.
It was the third time Barca had beaten Real already this season, following victory in the second leg of the season-opening Super Copa and then a 3-1 win at the Bernabeu in their first league clash of the campaign back in November.
As is now customary in El Clasico, Real manager Jose Mourinho picked Pepe in midfield, and the Portugal defender revelled in the latest instalment of his ongoing battle with Barca’s Sergio Busquets to be crowned this grand old fixture’s most irksome agitator.
Mourinho also started Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain together for only the fourth time in their Real careers as he set his side up to hit Barca on the break.
Ronaldo has come in for some criticism from Real fans in recent weeks, despite him scoring 21 goals in La Liga so far this season to help the club go five points clear at the top of the league.
The world’s most expensive player has also not fared well against Barca, scoring just three times in 13 previous matches against them in his career.
In summary of last night’s match, Barcelona are well placed to reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey after trouncing Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final tie. Next stop is the Camp Nou next week. Can Real Madrid turn it around and see off old rivals Barcelona or will it be just another stroll in the park for Barca to book their semi final ticket? We will see!
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Valora en Bitacoras.com: Barcelona won 1-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu last night and paved their way to a deserved semi final pass for this year’s Copa del Rey. The game started in typical “clasico” fashion with either team showing a full deck u……