El Clasico Part III - Champions League

Messi scored his 2nd goal of the game.

[Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu. This year's final will be the replay of 2009 Champions League final, Barcelone against Manchester United, not at the Stadium Olimpico in Rome, but Wembley Stadium in London]

The match was a little bit dull at the first half as Jose Mourinho tried to get his players sat at their own half. Real Madrid tried to catch Barcelona at the counter attack and set pieces. That was no surprise that Barcelona dominated the possession once again. However, with the presence of Pepe, Alonso and Diarra at the midfield, it was hard for Xavi to create chances especially without Iniesta by his side due to injury. 

Jose Mourinho decided to make a change during the half time. Adebayor has been brought in to replace Ozil. The match was still well in balance until the incident at 60th min. Pepe was shown a straight red card following a challenge on the Brazilian right back, Dani Alves. However, from the replay, it showed that Pepe did not make a contact with Alves. Even he did, the damage will be minimum. The yellow card will be maximum for Pepe, never a red card. It was sad and disgrace to see a player like Dani Alves to cheat and try to get advantage from it. 

Barcelona players surrounded the referee.

Pepe has been sent off at 60th minute.

Just after 16 minutes after the red card, it was Barcelona who broke the deadlock thanks to the Architect of the goal, the dutch winger, Afellay.  It was Messi who scored a classic poacher goal to get Barcelona in front. Just after 10 minutes later, the Argentinian showed his magic foot by dribbling past 4 players and scored a wonderful goal. These two goals meant that Lionel Messi has scored 11 times in 11 matches in this year's tournament. 

A good match, very much in balance until the red card. Referee changed the game. It was a turning point of the match. Even there is still second leg to be played next week, there is no chance for Real Madrid to score at least three goals away from home, especially without Pepe, Ramos and even worst, without Mourinho coaching at the side line.   

Quote of the Day:

I would be ashamed if I was Barca how they won Champions League in 2009. It was the scandal of Stamford Bridge [when they beat Chelsea in the semi-final after the ref failed to give the English side a penalty]. This is the scandal of the Bernabeu.' by Jose Mourinho after the match.