Post Match Review - El Clasico - CDR 2nd Leg

                                  Barcelona suffered defeat against Madrid yet again at Camp Nou now in CDR Semifinals , after playing a good first leg at Santiago Bernabeu which ended in a stalemate 1-1 . Barcelona

started with the same XI which started against Milan except Pinto who usually starts in CDR games.

RM Staring XI

FCB Starting XI

Barca, started the first few mins with         

good possession, while madrid were happy to sit back but maintain a high defensive line unlike in other Clasicos where they used to press even higher up the pitch into Barca's half. First chance fell to Barca when

pedro ran behind coentrao and opened it up for Messi who just dragged it wide. Barca faced the same problem which they did against Milan, Cesc and Iniesta often came in each others way couldn't make those vertical runs behind the fullback , Di Maria did a fine job staying back pressing hard and Khedira was marking Cesc/Iniesta while they tried to run behind Arbeloa.

First goal , Messi's pass to Xavi got intercepted and was played to Ronaldo as usual we had the problems of quick transitioning from attack to defense , the ball was played to Ronaldo where Puyol went in with a challenge but Ronaldo with his swift movements ran past him with the only defender left was Pique who had to make a challenge but he caught his leg instead clear penalty and Ronaldo puts one past Pinto (0-1)

Credit must be given to Alonso for pressing hard at Xavi who was completely nullified who couldn't make those forward passes to Messi/Pedro,Barca tried to attack they had one more good chance when Messi got free tried to play through to Cesc who was free on the left but the pass was cut out by Varane. 

Everybody were expecting some changes in the second half but it didn't happen. Roura continued with the same lineup and early in the half Busquets had a shot on goal which was saved by Lopez once again before we knew it, Messi's pass once again to Xavi was cutout and was lobbed to find Di Maria who was free , Puyol quickly tried to pressurize but then he slipped inside the box which made Di Maria take the shot which was saved by Pinto just to fall for Ronaldo who powered one more past Pinto.(0-2) A change was imminent Villa had to come on for Cesc around the 60' before anything could happen , Varane just put one past Pinto from a setpiece (0-3) and it was over ! 

Tello was brought in for Pedro and Thiago for Xavi. Mou brought in Callejon for Higuain who had a quiet game and Pepe for Ozil just to calm the nerves. A consolation goal came from Alba who was picked by Iniesta in one of his forward runs. (1-3).

Dejected side, expressions says it all !

Where do we go from here , what could be done?

1. Try to be more direct in attack , and must try to make use of the width .
2. A classic #9 must play ahead of Pulga on all occasions just to keep tab on CBs 
3. Alba must restrict his forward runs and provide assist in the defense.
4. Try and give youngsters more chances in home league games.

A Barca side coping without the coach during the important phase of the season is very unfortunate, but taking nothing away from Madrid who were brilliant on the counter and also defensively. Looking forward for yet another Clasico over the weekend then the big game against Milan. Keep faith ! Visca Barca !