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Thursday, 26 January 2012 08:00

Real fall just short in Camp Nou thriller

Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (aggregate score 4-3)

RonaldoTwo goals down on the night and trailing by three goals on aggregate, Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid a spark of hope in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a neat 69th-minute finish. Karim Benzema then made things even more interesting with a second goal for the visitors only three minutes later. In spite of the valiant comeback, it was too late for Jose Mourinho’s men, as they eventually fell to Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in a wildly entertaining match at the Camp Nou.

After a dismal performance last week at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid were much the brighter of the two teams in the opening half. Were it not for wasteful finishing from Higuain, the visitors would have been ahead with less than 30 seconds on the clock after the Argentine leapt onto a poor back pass from Dani Alves.
 

Real dominate early exchanges

Jose Mourinho’s revitalized formation included both Kaka and Mesut Ozil and seemed to be paying dividends as Madrid did well to control the ball and create chances. Cristiano Ronaldo had his first look at goal in the 10th minute after a defence-splitting pass from Kaka, but Pinto managed to deny him with his left boot.

Barcelona were struggling to find their balance, but should have scored in the 15th minute when they burst through the Madrid lines on a counterattack. Madrid responded by nearly opening the scoring after Ronaldo turned Busquets inside out before his cross was narrowly cleared to safety.

Moments later, Higuain selfishly went for goal when he really should have squared for Kaka. Ozil rattled the crossbar in the 25th minute with an ambitious effort from all of 30 yards. As half time approached, Real Madrid were still in need of two goals.

In the end, Barcelona showed their class by regrouping and finding the opener through Pedro, who had come on for the injured Iniesta. Messi was the architect, drawing in the Madrid defence before finding Pedro unmarked on the left.
 

Alves rocket

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Barcelona scored a second goal in the last minute of stoppage time. A deflected Barca free kick bounced into the path of Alves, who unleashed a fierce drive into the upper left-hand corner all but taking the game out of reach.

Barca began the second half full of confidence and it looked like they would easily complete their victory over the beleaguered visitors. Barca had found their passing rhythm and it effectively prevented Madrid from getting any kind of foothold.


It wouldn’t be until the 69th minute when Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo would finally give Madrid a lifeline. After being played clean through by Ozil, Ronaldo feigned a shot, drove past Pinto and finished into an empty net. Moments later, Benzema showed fantastic individual ability and composure to control a long pass, chip the ball over Carlos Puyol and score Madrid’s second of the night.

Needing just one more goal, Madrid controlled the final quarter hour but could not find the winning strike, a task made harder when Sergio Ramos was sent off close to the end of the match. The Camp Nou faithful could scarcely believe the stirring comeback their team had just allowed and kept their celebrations to a minimum.
 

Mourinho finds formula?

Real Madrid’s performance was indeed something special and very nearly won it in the end. Though Mourinho once again came up short to Barcelona, it appears that he may have found the right formula for defeating the Catalans and will take confidence for the next time the two clubs meet in La Liga.

By Nathan Motz

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Comments (14)
sahin outclassed schweni when he played vs bayern
14 Sunday, 29 January 2012 09:48
success
i think this 4-3-3 formation might work, midfield of sahin, khedira, dimaria with the attack trio of ozil, benzema and ronaldo. Di maria has the skills to play in the midfield, has the pace and dribbles that kaka has lost. Dimaria and ozil interchanging on the field will be deadly. I think sahin has good ball control, pace, not shy to receive ball in tight angles, great passes, good off the ball movements better than the immobile alonso. Give the boy a chance mou
The REF Steals the GAME
13 Saturday, 28 January 2012 23:37
Frank/Canada
After watching the replays and highlights this is another classic game fixed in the favour of BARCA.
Alves should have been given the yello card for diving and the goal should have counted for REAL . ALSO no penalty for the clear handball in the box.
I have said it before and will continue to say it at every chance and invite everyone to keep the pressure on FIFA, Soccer is still the only sport in the world that can be fixed and the refs can steal games . Nothing new but all these goals should go upstairs to a goal judge.
FIFA the Fixing of International Football Association
Refuses to have a goal judge and use modern technology because then they would lose all that extra cash from the black market. the fixing of international football association continues to leave its stink on the game and steal games for the team of their choice.
You know they cannot fix every game jus the ones that matter. You cannot give BARCA the leauge title this year because the title cannot be fixed in a game or two and as we see Real is running away with the league and will take it.
FIFA reminds me of DON KING and Boxing….. some times the dives are so bad you know the fix is in.
And yes im bitter because it was not just one bad call that fixed the copa game, it was
One disallowed goal
One handball in the box
One red card.
SO JOSE ………POR QUE>>>>>>>>>>>>> for the money and power JOSE that is why.
GO JOSE GO REAL
por que!
12 Saturday, 28 January 2012 02:13
Frank Canada
It was the best game yet. From what I see, Madrid has been building a slow and steady momentum that has reached the tipping point. I pray to the soccer goods JOSE, RONALDO, PEPE, CONTRAO, etc that the next league game they seal the deal take the SPANISH TITLE AND and have the last laugh and give BARCA a good spanking at home!
BARCA knows it and I believe that JOSE may have the time of his life and all the strife and BS…. he can leave Madrid and go back to ENGLAND Having WON THE TITLE AND BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF BARCA AT HOME and , wait there’s more the CHAMPEAN LEAUGUE IS STILL UP FOR GRABS.

GO MADRID!
GO JOSE!
Replies to some comments
11 Friday, 27 January 2012 21:00
Mario / Canada
Real Madrid does not have a reputation for "chippy play". Pepe, himself, has a reputation of being a brute. In this game he resorted to theatrics because Barcelona are the kings of theatrics. Barcelona plays a possession game in which each individual player protects the ball from the opposition. To beat such a team you must put immediate pressure on the player with the ball. It requires a lot of physical effort and a quality bench for second half substitutions.

I have watched many games at Camp Nou, and I have noticed that when any opposition player gets too close to a Barca player the Barcelona fans are immediately asking for the referee to call a foul. It seems that you are not allowed to touch a Barcelona player.

Madrid does have to strengthen their midfield. I'm still waiting to see if Sahin is as good as was advertised, but he hasn't played any league games yet. Although Alonso is a good player, his lack of quickness is exposed against Barcelona, however he is the best they have in that position. I would convert Di Maria to a midfield player. He has the skills.
Well now
10 Friday, 27 January 2012 05:55
Monah/Paris
What a fantastic match!great job done by los blancos!the first team to outclass Barcelona in Camp Nou!But we were unlucky!And the most important fact that I liked is that CR7 scored twice in each match!The goal machine is back right on track!

But for to be on top, still a centre forward and someone better than Diarra in the middle!I suggest this:get Hernanes from Lazio and plzzzzz Van Persie from Arsenal:

Casillas

Arbeloa--Ramos--Pepe--Coentrao
----------------X. Alonso
----------------Hernanes
Ozil------------Kaka
-----------------------------CR7
--------------Van Persie

I think with such a squad, no one will stop'em anymore, and itz gonna be easy for Mourinho to write history again and again!
psychological victory
9 Friday, 27 January 2012 00:32
Mario / Canada
This game proved that Madrid can beat Barca if they are aggressive, although they lost the Copa del Rey, it is a victory of sorts that will give the team the confidence to win La Liga and Champions league. It's a shame that Mourinho played such a conservative match at the Bernabeu, perhaps they would have advanced if he had let his players play.

It's too bad that Higuain squandered 3 clear cut chances, unlike him.

Many of the yellows given out in this game to Real players were for non existent fouls, the expulsion of Ramos is dubious to say the least. Albidal also handled the ball in the area, it was replayed several times and it was humorous how Ray Hudson and his sidekick were silent on the incident.

I hope it has not gone unnoticed how much defensive work Ronaldo has put in for Madrid this year. He has been playing the entire length of the field, forward, midfield and defence. He has tackled players deep in his own area, cleared corner kicks and pressured opposition players. It's the type of effort that I hope Bento will ask of him for Portugal.
Luck wasn't with RM, but you have to make your own.
8 Thursday, 26 January 2012 22:33
Arnaldo/USA
Did the ref need to call all the fouls on RM? No, but what does RM expect with their reputation for chippy play, and theatrics like Pepe's sarcastic applause of the refs at the end? Objective observers will see Barca are just as chippy, but their reputation, real or imagined gets them off easy with the refs. Alves could have been as easily carded as Ramos, but Ramos got the card. As an RM fan the biggest bright spots were that they finally put the fear into Barca, and RM finally prove they can play on the same level against Barca. They just need to clean up thier act and reputation. Next time the ball will bounce their wway in get the back of the net, or Barca won't get the fouls called their way.
formula may have been found
7 Thursday, 26 January 2012 21:23
gee gee , usa
also mourinho now may have developed and found a couple more players to help out in granero and callejon
Mou Should be Proud
6 Thursday, 26 January 2012 14:40
Rob/Canada
Although I'm biased being Portuguese and all, I really felt Madrid deserved to win this match, and advance to the semis. I'm the first Madrid fan to admit when they deserved to lose to a better Barca team, but that wasn't the case last night.

Mourinho looked extremely proud of his men, and I hope they're inspired by the result produced by their fight-back.

If not for questionable refereeing (clearly influenced by the Camp Nou crowd), a once-in-a-lifetime goal (Dani Alves) and lack of luck in front of goal (Higuain, Ozil), this game is easily Madrid's to win.

Somehow, it seems the wind changed direction yesterday. The league is Madrid's to lose. And we'll gladly take on Barca in the Champions' League final.
Referee
5 Thursday, 26 January 2012 13:48
SupremoGino
I may sound like a broken record but you can't say Barcelona advanced without the help of the referee. They had two handballs and Ramos' goal wouldnt of been disallowed if it wasnt for Alves theatrics. Then Benzema was pushed from behind by Puyol. Real Madrid had 7 yellow cards compared to Barcas 2. Some more playacting from Busquets caused a red card for Ramos. I didn't see many ball boys out either.

If only Higuain scored on his 1 on 1 and if he layed it back on his other opportunity. He seemed to be playing for himself and didnt consider the importance of the match. So many chances to be down 2-0 at half time that shattered confidence. All my respect for their 2nd half comeback.
Great game Proud of Real
4 Thursday, 26 January 2012 13:08
Eddie/Trinidad
Very proud of Ronaldo Benzema and Ozil, they were the stars for Real Madrid and carried the team back into contention to even win the tie! The three of them are amazing! If only Di Maria was available might have been even greater! But I'm still proud of their performance and Real showed the world once again as in the Super Copa de Espana, and in last seasons Copa Del Rey Final that they can hold their own and match Barcelona equally! Coentrao is the best left back no doubt, he was great over both legs! Glad Mou has recognized this and started him in left back for the biggest games! But the other defenders of Madrid let the team down Pepe, Ramos, etc are good but in both legs there were goals that they should have prevented. But all in all they are still great but its just that against Barcelona to beat them you have to be perfect. I believe Mourinho should have played with this lineup from the very first leg! Mou should know and take confidence from Super Copa , Copa Del Rey Final and this second leg of the Copa Del Rey this year as PROOF, that if he puts out a solid line up with his best creative players as well Real can beat Barcelona. Also the mental strength and character of Ronaldo is immense! That is what I love about him! He always believes and always comes back! When he missed two glorious chances weeks ago in the league classico all those fickle ungracious fake fans were booing him etc, the whole world can be against him, he will still come back, and play well and score goals! He scored in BOTH legs against Barcelona, yet people don't seem to have much to say about it. Pathetic fake fans/critics! They're only around to put people down point out faults and make negative comments. For what?? When the player does well as he has been for YEARS which in incredible they say nothing. Thats your choice! Cristiano Ronaldo is a WARRIOR! A LION! My favorite player and a legend! Benzema also is absolutely brilliant and to me he is the number one striker for Real Madrid! He takes his chances and sets his teammates up as well. Higuain had a number of chances to score and set up Kaka for an easy tap in yet he didn't take his chances and didn't make the pass. At first they were probably in equal standing/regard in my mind, but now I see Benzema as the best striker in Real Madrid! He's a great player! This Real Madrid is a great team as Pep, and Dani Alves confessed, and they still have not fully reached their peak, and they will still get better! Why? Di Maria is doing remarkably well this season leading la liga in assists by farrrr, he is a key player for Madrid and when he comes back Real will be powerful! Also Nuri Sahin for me has alot to offer to Real Madrid with his midfield possession and skill, passing etc, and to me he is a player that needs to step up and deliver on his promise for Real Madrid! If he can do that Real Madrid's midfield will be truly great. He can be the extra player that takes their game to the next level. My ideal midfield trio would be Xabi Alonso, Nuri Sahin, and Mesut Ozil. Sahin was Bundesliga player of the season, just as Ozil was before! I really hope he can step up and claim that starting spot in the team! Real Madrid can and will take great heart from this result and I believe they will push on to be even stronger for the rest of this season, and I firmly believe that they can do great things this season! HALA MADRID!!!
What a game
3 Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:29
jon/usa
At half time I thought that the game was already over, but Madrid proved me wrong. They played a fantastic game and, in my opinion, deserved to win. I was extremely upset with Ronaldo's Classico performance in La Liga, but he really stepped up his game in the last 2 Copa Matches. He is never going to be his very best against Barca because he never sees too much of the ball. Therefore, instead of waiting for the ball in midfield, he worked tirelessly off the ball making numerous tackles and interceptions including one impressive tackle on Messi.

Pepe was booed and whistled every time he touched the ball. His actions in the previous match were despicable, but today he was excellent. He made so many crucial tackles in and around the box. Fabio Coentrao also had a very solid game. Apart from the one time Messi beat him, Coentrao was defensively excellent. He had the brilliant Alexis Sanchez in his pocket all game.
What a difference coming out to play makes!
2 Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:27
Andre/UK
Just what we've all been posting, you sit back and defend and let Barca have the ball, and they will destroy you. But try and take the game to them, put pressure on them, and their defence is not the greatest and can concede goals. Mourinho should learn this lesson once and for all! Barca still dominant in the Classico matches but at least Real have finally avoided defeat, that's an achievement!
Sums it up
1 Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:44
Coffee/Portugal
Fantastic match. Drama and all (it's a Classico after all)
First off, good to see our boy Ronaldo finally coming back to his senses. Chasing the ball, some fine link up play and not the giving the ball away so cheaply. I know the man is an incredible goal scoring machine, but if could just get a bit of the 06/07 Ronaldo back..then, uff!!
Also this was the first classico that Ozil really showed up for. What a game! and Benzema?! What else can you say?
All in all a very entertaining much....
I don't about the formula but what I do know is that last week display isn't it. A club, like Madrid, with the insane fire power at their disposal cannot play defensively. I don't think they even know how to.

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