El Clasico Goes To Barcelona: La Liga Champions In Waiting

Is there any stopping the brilliance and resilience of "The One" Lionel Messi? Is there? If there is Real Madrid came up trumps in finding the formula.

Real Madrid threw everything including the kitchen sink as they pressured, prodded and at times plowed through the players of Barcelona. At the half however, the difference between the two sides remained the clinical finish by the little Argentine, Lionel Messi.

Peligrini as expected gave his charges clear instructions to track the movement of the game changer and for the first 30 minutes, they succeeded. The task at hand that has eluded many a defense proved again too tall an order for the Galacticos.

On minute 33, after ignoring a genuine case for a card on a foul by Sergio Ramos that saw Messi running into a brick wall that left him flat on his back. The world player of the year quickly took the free kick and as we have seen ever so often in the past 2 seasons, he played the give and go with Xavi and sped away from his marker.

Their seeming telepathic link saw the midfield maestro sending an inch perfect return pass that "The One" expertly controlled on his chest and with a deliberate shot into the ground to bounce the ball over the advancing Iker Casilas in goal.

By then the writing was on the wall and the magician cast his spell that would conquer even the valiant Galacticos.

Up to that point, Real Madrid were in the ascendancy and were it not for their repeated failure to lay off that perfect final past to their lethal shooters, the hosts could have been at least 2 up against their nemisis. The main culprits being Gago and Marcelo who despite matching the famed Barca midfield stride for stride and ball for ball.

In front of a rowdy home crowd at the Bernabau, the match understandibly was hotly contested by both teams with a total of 4 yellow cards being issued.

On the resumption, Barca settled into their trademark passing game that frustrated the home side. This frustration left them open at the back and defending league champions obliged with Pedro unlocking the defense and puuting his team 2-0 up.

Real Madrid responded by substituting the hard running Marcelo for the visionary Guti who instantly let his presence felt on the pitch. The ace midfielder sent a perfect through ball to Van der Vaart that gave the flying Dutchman a one on one with Victor Valdes.

To the dismay and astonishment of the fans Van der Vaart fluffed the chance by kicking dirctly at Valdes who was most grateful for the let off.

Guti again in clearing the ball out of defense launched another defense splitting pass to the feet of the sprinting Ronaldo. The record signing player could only muster up an angled shot straight at Valdes' feet.

As predicted in my earlier article, the difference between the two sides was the midfield and the supporting cast to the stars. Not to be overlooked also was the tactical superiority of Pep Gardiola. Heads undoubtedly will roll with Peligrini's the likely first on the block.  

There are not many if any team out there to dethrone the 6 time champions, UEFA Champions league semi-finalists and the clear favorites to lift the La Liga trophy at the end of this season.

The precision passes in the final third by Barca through Xavi, by Messi and Pedro and the expert finishing have been trademarks of the total footnball philosphy seemingly perfected by the club. The team capitalised on the goal scoring opportunities that it created and as such were deserved victors, those who failed to hit the mark, the vanquished. 

El Clasico lived up to all expectations. Despite dominating ball possession and creating numerous goal scoring chances the night did not belong to the big spenders. Madrid have had a stelar season but with Alonso  missing point blank headers in front of an open goal and booting lay offs wide, Ronaldo, Guti and Higuain shooting at Valdes instead of into the back of the net, they would pay the price.

I dont foresee Barcelona slipping up in their run to win the La Liga title based on their current form. Real madrid are left to ponder the failure of this season and should think long and hard on elevating their game to dethrone a very hard to beat Barcelona.