A Clasico is always a Clasico, no matter which way you look at it. The difference in points between either team is indifferent, the same as the shape the players are in and how many injuries each squad sustains. The only important thing is the match itself and the crowd. Real Madrid and Barcelona clashed with the former already being league champions and the latter currently third on the table.
The party kickstarted in the first minute
A completely packed Santiago Bernabéu Stadium gave the Whites the incredible welcome everybody expected. Less than a minute into the game, Robben had a shot with his left foot from the border of the area, putting Valdés’ reflexes to the test. The champions were inspired, willing to dedicate a brilliant triumph to their fans. A few minutes later, Guti served a free-kick finished off by Sneijder, but the ball hit Barcelona’s defensive wall. It landed at Raúl’s feet, who shot with his left foot and scored the opener of the evening (12’).
Real Madrid were the best this season, and they proved so against Barça. They insisted on scoring more strikes time and again with set pieces or carefully rehearsed tactics. On the 20-minute mark, Guti served a corner kick from the right corner and Robben headed the ball into the back of the net. Two down, but there were many minutes left and the champions wanted much more. Every single player wanted to join the party. On another set piece, Sneijder passed the ball to Guti, who gave it to Raúl seeing that the captain had taken advantage of Barcelona’s defensive mistakes, but the ball didn’t go into the goal (33′). Raúl also had the last chance in the first half, but missed his shot by inches after overtaking Zambrotta (43’).
Cheers at the Bernabéu
Schuster’s midfield paid off. Diarra and Gago as defensive midfielders, and Guti and Sneijder as playmakers, thwarted Barcelona’s few attacks. The second half was similar to the first. Every player wanted to do his bit, including Diarra, who took a powerful shot from outside the box in the 55th minute and later assisted Higuaín -who had come on for Robben- to score the evening’s third goal (62′).
The crowd exploded with joy and was incontrolable. They asked the team to score even more goals. Raúl came off for Van Nistelrooy, who returned after sustaining an injury for over a month and scored from a penalty that was awarded just a minute later (78′). Real Madrid continued to dominate, although Henry managed to score a goal on the 86-minute mark in a beautiful one-on-one with Casillas.
The champions did what they had to do: win. The fans expected magic, intensity and a good show, and they got just that. It was a great party for all Madridismo.
MATCH REPORT
4 - REAL MADRID: Casillas; Heinze, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Sneijder, Diarra, Gago, Raúl (Van Nistelrooy, 75′), Guti (Robinho, 70′) & Robben (Higuaín, 51′).
1 - BARCELONA: Valdés, Puyol, Márquez, Zambrotta, Abidal, Touré Yaya, Xavi, Bojan, Gudjonshen, Messi & Henry.
GOALS:
1-0, 12′: Raúl.
2-0, 20′: Guti.
3-0, 52′: Higuaín.
4-0, 78′: Van Nistelrooy.
4-1, 86′: Henry.