Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona: Messi networking key

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Lionel Messi struck twice late on as Barcelona took a huge step towards the final Champions League with a 2-0 semi-final, first leg win 10-man Real Madrid in the Bernabeu. Messi, taking his count to 52 in all competitions this season, won in 76 minutes and 87th - the second a solo effort usually brilliant - to resolve a clash sullenness which saw defender of Madrid Pepe sent off in the 61st minute.

This incident also saw coach of Madrid, José Mourinho, who on Tuesday triggered a war of words with the counterpart Pep Guardiola - sent to the stands, while Barca reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto also showed a red card following an incident at half-time. However, the end result means boat, European champions in 2006 and 2009, now are strong Favorites to advance to the final of the next month at Wembley.

Barça welcomed the new captain Carles Puyol - which has been absent from the five losses on their side this season, but the visitors still had a number of absences with Andrés Iniesta, Eric Abidal and Adriano among the missing. Madrid, which last week ended their three-year wait for a trophy when they defeated Barca to win the final of the Copa del Rey, could not appeal to the suspension of Ricardo Carvalho and wounded Sami Khedira.

The first half was a matter shows cautious their content from Madrid to Barca possession well out of danger and visitors willing to commit to too many men forward. That led to Cristiano Ronaldo, showing his frustration by a point, as well as fans of House and meant scoring chances at the end were very scarce.

Xavi had tested Iker Casillas with a barrage of well-struck, while the schemer boat also had the best chance of the opening period in the 24 minute after close pass of Lionel Messi. However, was denied one again by Casillas, who blocked his low shot from teammate of Spain.

David Villa also a little saw effort not go wide as Barca sought a valuable away goal. At the other end, Madrid fans had to wait until half-time to see his side give goalkeeper Barca Victor Valdes something to think about. Ronaldo tried his luck from 25 metres and the ball bounced back to chest of Valdes. Mesut Ozil sought to establish NET as it continued, but Valdes keeps his effort and a flag out of the picture would have ruled out any purpose anyway.

As players left the field following an increasingly more niggly first half, there was a melee between the parties as they entered the tunnel I paint receive a red card. Mourinho decided to change things at the break, taking off Mesut Ozil and sending of Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored twice in the fourth of 4-0-final, first leg victory over Tottenham.

Both sides had chances on average at the beginning of the second period, with Messi and Ronaldo see blocked efforts before Madrid Defender Sergio Ramos picked up a yellow card which was the second stage. It was much worse for Madrid though as they reduced to 10 men when Pepe was shown a red card directly after a challenge on Dani Alves left the Brazilian twisting in agony.

It was the fourth time in four clashes that Madrid has had a player expelled with the Club this season, and anger of Mourinho on the touchline resulted in him is sent to the stands. Barça felt a great opportunity to take control of the tie and almost went ahead in minute 68, when Villa saw a shot saved by Casillas and Peter directed the rebound wide inches.

And your next opening saw lead substitute Ibrahim Afellay has done well to create space on the right and his low cross was converted by Messi running the position of striker. Messi was not over and struck a brilliant second with three minutes remaining leaving the boat with one foot in the final. The ACE of Argentina have passed several defenders of Madrid in rhythm before sliding a right legs shot past Casillas.



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