Eder Militao’s nightmarish personal objective supplied a shocking twist to the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg, as a shrunken Barcelona took a shock 1-0 away victory over Real Madrid in a tumultuous encounter Thursday.
The Catalans arrived on the again of two consecutive defeats and with out an injured trio of key gamers – high scorer Robert Lewandowski, key midfielder Pedri and explosive winger Ousmane Dembele.
After their Europa League elimination by Manchester United final week and a first-ever loss towards La Liga minnows Almeria, Madrid followers smelled blood however had been left bitterly annoyed.
Militao deflected a rebound into his personal objective after 26 minutes to separate the groups and hand Barcelona the sting forward of the second leg on April 5 at Camp Nou.
The hosts had extra of the ball however didn’t muster a shot on course, whereas Barcelona defended effectively.
“This was the game we wanted to play – not with this result, but it gives us confidence for the second leg,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti instructed reporters.
“We did not let Barcelona do what they wanted, that’s good for us, and we just have to repeat it (at Camp Nou).”
Asked if Barcelona deserved to win or not, Ancelotti mentioned it was clear his staff deserved extra.
“No, that is obvious, we had chances, but I think that it was one of Madrid’s best games in terms of pressing high,” added Ancelotti.
“It was a bit strange, their way of playing, but they have learned very well, it’s a very solid team defensively.”
Barcelona lined up with Marcos Alonso out of place at center-back, after Andreas Christensen was solely deemed match sufficient to start out on the bench.
Sergio Busquets made his forty sixth Clasico look, overtaking former Real Madrid and Barcelona greats Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi to set a brand new report.
Madrid frustrations
Despite Barcelona’s seven-point lead over champions Madrid in La Liga, many, together with Barca coach Xavi Hernandez, had Madrid as favorites.
Los Blancos haven’t gained the trophy since 2014 and pushed Barca again early on, with Benzema scoring a objective dominated out for offside.
A handful of Madrid followers had protested outdoors the Santiago Bernabeu about Barca’s involvement within the “Negreira case” – the Catalan membership paying a former refereeing chief for recommendation till 2018.
The temperature rose significantly when Vinicius Junior was booked halfway by the primary half for wrestling Frenkie de Jong to the bottom.
Vinicius remonstrated vociferously with the referee, and Madrid should still have been distracted by the argument moments later when Barcelona took the lead.
The objective got here towards the run of play, created by Ferran Torres, who slipped by Franck Kessie, simply onside.
Thibaut Courtois saved the Ivorian midfielder’s low shot however the ball rebounded off Militao, into his personal web, with Nacho attempting and failing to hack it clear.
Madrid gamers and supporters reacted angrily as Barcelona midfielder Gavi acquired away with smashing into Militao, however the hosts struggled to carve out probabilities.
Barcelona held their lead till the break comfortably, with supporters whistling the officers as they walked in the direction of the tunnel.
With Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect unable to muster a shot on course towards an underwhelming Barcelona aspect, maybe a number of the house supporters’ frustration aimed on the referee was misplaced.
Madrid struggled to attach with Benzema, remoted and unable to affect the sport.
Record Copa winners Barcelona ought to have doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining when Torres minimize the ball again to Kessie, however his goal-bound shot was blocked by his personal team-mate, Ansu Fati.
Rodrygo whipped a shot broad for Madrid within the remaining levels as they remained unable to check Ter Stegen, regardless of Barcelona’s deficiencies.
More conventional roles had been reversed as Madrid had extra of the ball however Barcelona defended solidly and took the benefit again house.
“Today they dominated us with the ball, but there are other aspects in the game, sometimes the opponent forces you to this,” admitted Xavi.
“Madrid can dominate you, it’s hard to get the ball off (Toni) Kroos and (Luka) Modric, but defense is part of the game.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
