Real Madrid won 1-3 against Barcelona at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium on matchday 23 of Liga F. Below are my thoughts and views on El Clásico.
This one is for you, Om. Both the victory and the article I get to write today.
Grid View
Real Madrid XI
Barcelona XI
Subs
Misa started in goal. Méndez and Lakrar were joined as the CB duo, making the defensive line together with Yasmim and Antonia on the fullbacks. Toletti and Angeldahl started as the double pivot. Møller acted as #10 behind Alba Redondo who led the line, accompanied by Athenea and Feller on the wings in the attack.
The game looked fairly equal from the beginning. Barcelona did go on to create more chances in the first half but overall, there was much more prominent danger whenever Las Blancas went on to attack. On the other side, Madrid’s defense did a solid job defending inside the penalty area and Misa’s saves definitely saved the day. It was also a good performance from both the fullbacks and the wingers whose chemistry stopped a lot of the danger.
Later on, when Caicedo and Weir went on, they showed their brilliance and the importance of having their chemistry on the pitch. Antonia Silva was subbed off for Shei in the second half as she was limping off the pitch after a tackle inside the defending penalty area.
41’: GOAL (0-1) by Alba Redondo: A magnificent cross from Møller on the left found Redondo to make a beautiful header.
87’: GOAL (1-2) by Caroline Weir: The counterattack that went through Linda Caicedo ended in a goal by Weir after Linda passed to the Scot once entering the box.
90+6’: GOAL (1-3) by Caroline Weir: The goal that has sealed the first-ever El Clásico victory for Las Blancas. Weir’s near header crossed the line just enough for the goal to count.
The fifth and final Clásico of the season, which wasn’t a priority having been sandwiched between the two Champions League quarter-final matches, ended in a surprising first-ever win against Barcelona. Nineteen clásicos later, Real Madrid have done it, on Barcelona’s home ground at that!
This one is a bit less detailed of a match report than usual, but it's not weird given that the author is shaking even an hour later. Not a critical one either because today is the day to celebrate any and every good thing that came out from today’s game which was special in many ways.