Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: El Clasico Scoreless at the Half, Not Without Drama
By on April 16, 2011
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Lionel Messi was his elusive self during El Clasico's first half.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Saturday’s El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona went into the half scoreless at the Bernabéu, but the pivotal Spanish tilt was not without fireworks—or controversy.
Barcelona’s David Villa broke free in the 25th minute, forcing Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to come out to try and quell the Spaniard’s attack. Villa appeared to get a touch on the ball before Cassilas took down Villa.
Barcelona players made their pleas with referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez, but he didn’t award the Catalans a penalty and Fernandez gave Gerard Pique a yellow for dissent while making an emotional case for Villa.
Casillas twice proved his worth for Los Blancos when stopping dangerous opportunities from the always-dangerous Lionel Messi. In the 18th minute Casillas stopped Messi on a one-on-one opportunity where Messi tried to chip Casillas—a very similar attempt in Barca’s Champions League fixture against Arsenal where he was successful—but Casillas was up to the task.
He also stopped a rocket shot from Messi’s foot in the 42nd minute.
Real Madrid threatened in the waning moments of the first half off of a corner kick, but Barcelona’s Adriano cleared Sergio Ramos’ effort off the line.
Barcelona players made their pleas with referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez, but he didn’t award the Catalans a penalty and Fernandez gave Gerard Pique a yellow for dissent while making an emotional case for Villa.
Casillas twice proved his worth for Los Blancos when stopping dangerous opportunities from the always-dangerous Lionel Messi. In the 18th minute Casillas stopped Messi on a one-on-one opportunity where Messi tried to chip Casillas—a very similar attempt in Barca’s Champions League fixture against Arsenal where he was successful—but Casillas was up to the task.
He also stopped a rocket shot from Messi’s foot in the 42nd minute.
Real Madrid threatened in the waning moments of the first half off of a corner kick, but Barcelona’s Adriano cleared Sergio Ramos’ effort off the line.
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