Barcelona managed to escape from Real Madrid’s Estadio Bernabeu with a 2-2 draw on Sunday, in a vibrant Spanish Supercup first-leg clash.
The European champions lacked their usual fluidity but were saved by goals from star strikers David Villa and Lionel Messi. Mesut Ozil had given Real an early lead, and Xabi Alonso made it 2-2 for the hosts, who really deserved to win.
It was an aggressive match but without the bad temper and manners of the four Clasicos played in spring.
The second leg will take place on Wednesday at Barca’s Camp Nou, and will probably feature prodigal son Cesc Fabregas, whose return to Barca from Arsenal was announced late on Sunday.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola refused to say whether he would play Fabregas on Wednesday.
He said that the 2-2 draw was a “good result, given that we are behind Real in our pre-season preparations. We didn’t come here in good condition.” Barca’s other summer signing, Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez, said: “I am happy to have made my debut. This is a good result for us, but we will need to work very hard in the second leg.” Real assistant coach Aitor Karanka said: “This has left us with a bittersweet taste. It’s a pity that we did not win, but in many ways we are in better shape than this time last year.” Xabi Alonso called it “not the best result for us, it should have been better. But the sensations are positive. We played quite well tonight.” Barca went into the match without injury victims Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol and Xavi, and their makeshift defence looked vulnerable as Real made an aggressive, purposeful start.
The hosts almost went ahead after nine minutes, when Barca keeper Victor Valdes did well to keep out a bouncing header from Karim Benzema. But in the 13th minute there was nothing that Valdes could do when Ozil made it 1-0 with a calm left-foot shot after being set up by Benzema.
Barca were against the ropes, but a moment of magic from Villa in the 36th minute, completely against the run of play, threw them a lifeline. The Spain striker received the ball out on the left, cut inside defender Sergio Ramos and made it 1-1 with a staggering, dipping shot from just outside the penalty area.
Barca went ahead just before half-time when Messi took advantage of a confusion between Sami Khedira to score with his deadly left foot.
Real were just as aggressive in the second half, and Alonso made it 2-2 in the 45th minute with a low drive after Pepe had cleverly set him up following a corner.
Barca then bought on Xavi and enjoyed more possession, but the best chances continued to fall to Real, with Valdes having to pull off several sharp saves.
Real were denied a possible penalty on Cristiano Ronaldo, and Barca had a possible one on Pedro turned down.
No comments:
Post a Comment