| Barça suffer clásico reverse (4-1) |
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| Thursday, 08 May 2008 | |
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FC Barcelona were defeated by Real Madrid in the Bernabéu on Wednesday evening in a game that the hosts dominated until the final moments when the visitors broke through and made their mark on the scoreboard.
Madrid were able to celebrate retaining the league title with a clear win against a Barça side that really only offered any sign of their true capability towards the end when the game had already been decided. Thierry Henry scored a fine effort, but goals from Raúl, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuaín and Ruud van Nistelrooy had put Madrid in command long before. The defeat in the Spanish capital, combined with Villarreal's triumph at Recreativo means that Barcelona cannot finish second in the league and will have to play a qualifier to reach the group stages of the Champions League next season. Opening goal After an even opening to the game, the hosts went ahead when Raúl beat Víctor Valdés from the edge of the area with 12 minutes on the clock. Guti collided with Rafa Márquez and the ball fell to the Madrid captain to hit the opener. Things quickly went from bad to worse for Barça when a non-existent free-kick was awarded Éric Abidal was adjudged to have fouled Sergio Ramos and Robben met the set piece to nod home Madrid's second of the evening in the 20th minute. First change Three minutes after conceding, Frank Rijkaard decided to change his side and withdrew Eidur Gudjohnsen from the game and introduced Giovani Dos Santos in a bid to offer more pace going forward. Soon after Henry lined up a free-kick from just outside the area and saw his shot fly just wide of Iker Casillas' near post. Five minutes before the break, BArça were relieved to see Robben go close again, but this time miss the target. Same again The second half saw Madrid maintain over all control of proceedings because Barça were unable to find any rhythm in midfield without several of their key players being available. Rijkaard' had to change his defence too with Márquez coming off for Sylvinho, leaving Abidal to move across into the centre of the back four. It did not change things though as Higuaín skipped through and beat Valdés to make it three for the hosts. Henry consolation Madrid were not done yet though and the refere was kind enough to award them a penalty when Carles Puyol had no time to pull his arms out of the way of Robinho's cross. Van Nistelrooy duly tucked in the spot-kick only moments after coming on as a substitute and there was clearly no way back for the Blaugrana then. In the final minutes though, Barça did begin to show signs of intent with Lionel Messi testing a teasing the defence as well as forcing Casillas into making a fine save. The Argentinian set up Henry to score with an impressive shot from outside the area to reduce the arrears. There was one final twist when Xavi was sent off after receiving his second yellow card. |
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