FC Barcelona News
Barcelona Fall to Extra Time Goal in Copa del Rey
April 21st, 2011FC Barcelona had to settle for runners up medals on Wednesday as they were edged out of the Copa del Rey final by a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in extra time. Facing off against a determined and well-drilled Real Madrid team, Barça only produced flashes of the kind of football that has dazzled La Liga this season.
Pep Guardiola was able to pick a strong side for the decisive match at the Mestalla – Mascherano stepped in at a centre-back to replace the injured Carles Puyol, and Pinto took his customary place between the posts for the cup.
Picking up from Saturday’s league meeting, the first half got off to a frenetic and tetchy start, with a host of fouls and angry recriminations. And although Barcelona were monopolising possession, Los Blancos were pressing higher up the pitch than before – when they won the ball they attacked with real speed and intent.
Cristiano Ronaldo was set free down the inside right channel and drew a smart save from Pinto after 11 minutes. Barcelona, on the other hand, were struggling to find a way through, and the game soon descended into a turgid stalemate punctuated by niggling fouls.
It was a scenario that suited Mourinho’s team perfectly, and just before half time they mustered another opportunity; Mesut Özil found some space down the right flank and whipped in a teasing cross that Pepe powered onto the inside of Pinto’s right post. Fortunately the ball bounced across the face of goal and out to safety.
Barcelona needed to improve in the second half, and the Blaugrana fans got their wish with a far more fluent performance, forcing Real Madrid to the edge of their penalty with some smart combinations.
Messi went on a spellbinding run, evading four Real Madrid challenges before releasing Pedro who shot low past Casillas, only to see the goal chalked off by the offside flag. Barcelona upped the pace even further – Messi, Pedro and Iniesta all drew stunning reaction saves from the Madrid ‘keeper.
And then, after forcing the opposition onto the ropes, Barcelona slowly started to lose the upper hand. In the closing minutes of regulation time, Real Madrid began to find their feet once more, bringing Pinto into action, who had to tip a Di Maria shot over the bar moments after an Alves block denied Cristiano Ronaldo a scoring opportunity.
Extra time ensued, and Los Merengues started to look increasingly menacing on the break, before breaking the deadlock in the 102nd minute. Di Maria led a counter attack down the left flank, and his cross was met with a powerful header by Ronaldo to leave Pinto stranded. FC Barcelona then tried to raise the tempo, but just didn’t have the legs to drag themselves back into the match.
The result is a bitter blow, but more exciting challenges lie ahead, as Guardiola’s team returns to the Ciutat Esportiva to regroup ahead of the Champions League semi-final.
0-1 C.Ronaldo (102′)
Barcelona Continue Title March After Vital Draw in Madrid
April 17th, 2011FC Barcelona took a huge step towards a third successive Primer Division title after securing a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu in the first of four climatic Clásicos. Pep Guardiola’s team bossed possession and arguably had the best chances, but had to settle for a point after Los Blancos came back from a goal and a man down to win a debatable penalty with ten minutes to go.
Nevertheless, the result leaves Barça in a practically insurmountable position; eight points clear at the top of the table, with a superior head-to-head record against their historic rivals.
Barcelona went into the game with their strongest XI for months, with captain Carles Puyol making a surprise start after recovering from a long-term injury that had kept him out of action since January.
For all of the hype, and column inches in anticipation of a memorable spectacle, the game got off to a relatively subdued start, with play frequently broken by niggling fouls. Both coaches spent much of the opening at the edge of their technical areas marshalling a fraught tactical battle.
The pattern that finally emerged was one of Barcelona dominance, and no little negativity from their opponents; Madrid’s midfield was effectively composed of three holding players sitting tight in front of their defence. It was no surprise that the first chance fell to the Blaugrana team – Iniesta crafted one of his signature looped passes to set Messi free, but the forward saw his lob saved easily by Casillas.
On the half-hour mark Barcelona had a great shout for a penalty when Villa raced onto a through pass after a stylish move, appearing to reach the ball before the Madrid ‘keeper who brought El Guaje to the ground. Referee Cesar Muniz Fernández wave the Barça protests away and even saw fit to book a livid Gerard Pique.
This fortunate escape appeared to stir Real Madrid, who finally began to emerge from their shells. Los Merengues’ best opportunities came via set pieces and the brutal right boot of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward slammed a trademark free kick off Valdes’ right post and had a header saved off the line by the increasingly impressive Adriano.
Yet it was Barcelona who were dictating play. And when the industrious Villa chased another clipped pass over the Real Madrid backline, Raul Albiol clumsily hauled the striker down by his collar – penalty, red card and Messi dispatched the spot-kick to take his tally to 49 and counting.
Puyol was withdrawn with a recurrence of his thigh injury, and Barça opted to slow the tempo, knowing Madrid had to chase the game with ten men. The strategy was paying off until Marcelo took on Alves down the left side of the penalty area. The right back appeared to win the ball with his sliding tackle, but Fernández pointed to the spot to allow Cristiano Ronaldo win a share of the points for Madrid ahead of Wednesday’s cup final.
0-1, Messi (pen, min 52)
1-1, Ronaldo (pen, min 83)
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