Clasico Tres: The Ugly One

Lionel Messi continued his spectacular form by scoring his 51^st and 52^nd goals against Real Madrid which broke the deadlock in this tense derby and then put the match beyond the home side. The breakthrough came after Barça substitute Afellay put in a dangerous low cross which Messi connected with at the front post after getting ahead of Sergio Ramos by an inch.

It took 75 minutes for Barcelona to score and it came about after Madrid went down to ten men. It’s the fifth time in a row that a Mourinho team has had a man sent off against the Catalans and Pepe becomes the seventh player sent off in the last six meetings between the clubs; five for Real and two for Barça. Jose then practiced what he seems to preach by getting sent to the stands after unacceptable comments made to the fourth official.

The match had a Mourinho-esque feel about it in the sense that it lacked dignity, respect and was a downright shameful portrayal of the two clubs, or maybe it was an accurate representation. Yes, Messi’s goal was wonderful but lest we forget that the precious demi-God reacted angrily to a challenge and tried to elbow someone in the leg earlier in the match, which was conveniently brushed over. Pepe’s red card was slightly harsh but the situation had reached boiling point and the Barça players were not going to let this one go as Dani Alves was taken off on a stretcher. He returned to the pitch soon after.

Whether Madrid were happy about it or not, in the first half Barcelona dominated possession and Madrid seemed at ease to let them do so and wait for a slight mistake to pounce on. Pepe, Alonso and Diarra pressurised the Barcelona front line and forced them back. Madrid struggled to keep the ball however, and when they did regain possession it was usually for a short spell. Casillas came to his side’s rescue when Xavi was played through the middle delightfully by Messi.

The German referee, Wolfgang Stark, was submitted to serious scrutiny every time he blew his whistle; from the managers, commentators and protests from the players and fans. The match was again deterred from the footballing side of things even by half-time when a melee ensued when a few players came together in a slight tussle which resulted in Barcelona’s reserve ‘keeper, Pinto, being sent off.

The second half saw Madrid take the game to Barcelona with more determination to attack and break the Catalans makeshift defence down; Puyol was playing on the left with Mascherano and Pique in the middle. However, it was to no avail. Cristiano Ronaldo had a vague chance when he found himself pushed away from goal and opted for a shot instead of looking for a runner to square the ball to.

After Pepe was sent off the game was again in Barcelona’s control. Adebayor’s presence was felt but it was too late for los blancos. As it stands, Real Madrid have a mountain to climb at the Camp Nou next week and they will have to do that without Sergio Ramos (suspended), Pepe (suspended) and their manager who will be ordered to the stands again.

Pep Guardiola stated that Mourinho had one the verbal war but reminded us all that a football match was to be played and that's where he would make his move, not in the press conference. He will consider Mourinho the winner of the battle but it looks like the war is his. For the neutral it was a frustrating match and one that prompted many questions about why this match had been hyped as a ‘footballing’ spectacle and not for what it was; a cynical war between two sides whose players play out the same rivalry on a stage already set by its history.

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casillas; Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Marcelo; Diarra, Pepe, Alonso; Ozil (Adebayor 45), Ronaldo, Di Maria. 4-3-3

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Puyol; Xavi, Busquets, Keita; Pedro (Afellay 70), Villa (Sergi Roberto 89), Messi.