REA 3:4 BAR | Real Madrid - FC Barcelona (LaLiga)

LaLiga

Bundesliga

Valencia – Villarreal

2:1 (end)

Real – Barcelona

3:4 (end)

final

Real Madrid

3:4 (2:2)

FC Barcelona

Sunday 23.03.2014, 21:00 • Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid • LaLiga

		That's all from me and the El Clásico, I hope you've enjoyed the game and the broadcast. Until next time, goodbye! (23:04:46)
		A well deserved victory for FC Barcelona as they keep their hopes alive and keep the pace in the race for the title. This outcome also gives the chances to Atlético Madrid and now the situation in the peak of the table is utterly complicated. The winner overall will have to be decided in the next ten games, but literally all of the above three could win it in the end.
		Match stats: Shots (on goal): RMA 13 (8), FCB 17 (6) Free kicks: RMA 13, FCB 21 Corners: RMA 2, FCB 5 Offsides: RMA 0, FCB 2 Fouls: RMA 24, FCB 12 Yellow cards: RMA 5, FCB 2 Red cards: RMA 1, FCB 0 Possession: RMA 32%, FCB 68%.
		It's over! El Clásico is over, Barcelona win the second in the row after a wild match and they retain pressure on their arch rivals coming as close as a point shy. Three penalties in the second half, two on Barça's side see them get on track for the win. Lionel Messi had an incredible game with a hattrick, while Karim Benzema was left a goal shy. With three new goals Messi becomes the El Clásico's second best striker smashing Alfredo Di Stefano's longstanding record.
		Game over.
	90+3	Great offensive play by Barcelona, they play three or four quick passes at the edge of the box, but in the end can't find the way through for the ball as Messi gets blocked by Marcelo.
	90+2	Gareth Bale tackles inside Barcelona's half and they'll have another free kick.
	90+1	Barcelona won a free kick in midfield, took it short, but couldn't maintain possession.
	90	There will be 3 minutes of added time to the end of 90 minutes of El Clásico.
	90	Free kick assigned to Real Madrid on the right flank taken short into the penalty area, but Barcelona keep the ball outside and don't allow any danger from Real.
	90	Real Madrid substitution: Modrić is replaced by Morata.
	89	Cristiano Ronaldo drives the ball over the left flank, slides it towards the middle lined up and there is Sergio Busquets who anticipates the path of the ball and slides in to save the danger.
	88	Yellow card has been awarded Modrić (Real Madrid) for the tackle on Lionel Messi in midfield.
	87	Alexis Sánchez gets the ball through into space on the right edge of the box, offside signaled by the referee.
	86	Yellow card has been awarded Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).
	85	Real Madrid substitution: Di María is replaced by Isco.
	85	Yellow card has been awarded Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid) for protesting by the referee.
	84	Goal for Barcelona! LIONEL MESSI hits the hattrick! The Argentine virtuoso slowly approaches the ball, smashes it into the upper right corner and Barça are in front again.
	83	Another penalty kick assigned to Barcelona. The referee showed no hesitataion as Carvajal and Xabi Alonso double-teamed Iniesta and it's a clear foul in the penalty area.
	82	A long range shot by Barcelona slightly from the left goes over the bar as Diego López will get it back into play with a goal kick.
	80	Constant pressure from Barcelona in the last 10 minutes of the game, but they can't find their way through. Real might be closing the game as they can settle with the draw as well.
	78	Goal kick to Real Madrid as Busquets finds some space inside the box on the left, falls down, but wouldn't agree with the referee.
	78	FC Barcelona substitution: Fábregas is replaced by Alexis.
	76	Real can't get dangerous in the final third, while Barcelona try to establish a possession game in the Real's half, but this is just not the same team that ruled possession last season.
	74	After calming the play down and keeping possession, Dani Alves cannons a shot from outside the penalty area aiming for the left post, but hits it and the ball bounces out.
	72	Barcelona win the corner from the left side. The cross flies to the near post, Pedro tries to steer it in from outside the 5-metre area, but is a a metre or less north over the bar.
	71	Cristiano Ronaldo gets well stopped today when he tries to dribble, tight defense put on him and they don't let go, especially on the right flank. The penalty, though, came from the left wing.
	70	Barcelona set up possession play in the final third, a floating cross from the right hand side comes into the box, the defense head it back towards the goal line and Diego López claims it in the air.
	68	FC Barcelona substitution: Neymar is replaced by Pedro.
	68	Barcelona try to set the attack in the final third, though the defense now tightens up and pressures high.
	66	Sergio Busquets gets booked by the referee for the tackle on Gareth Bale in by the halfway line.
	66	Real Madrid substitution: Benzema is replaced by Varane.
	65	Goal for Barcelona! LIONEL MESSI brings the equaliser again, just the same way Real found themselves ahead the previous time! Leo Messi strikes to the upper right and we're tied, 3-3.
	63	Neymar gets into space to catch a feed from midfield, Ramos covers him and pushes from behind in the penalty area. No hesitation from the ref, red card for SERGIO RAMOS and a penalty for Barcelona.
	60	Andrés Iniesta sees his effort go over the bar from just outside the box after the corner from the right hand side is floated into the box, a fantastic half volley after short clearance from Marcelo.
	58	Ronaldo feeds for Benzema from the right side, the latter can't spin quicky enough and slides the pass into space for Bale with his heel, Valdes is there to deflect the shot into a corner.
		UPDATE: The previous tackle was taken outside the box by good 30 centimetres, but the referee pointed to the 11-metre spot.
	55	Goal for Real! CRISTIANO RONALDO scores the fifth goal tonight and brings real back in the driving seat from the penalty spot. He shot for the lower left, Valdes picked his side well, but was inches too short.
	54	Dangerous opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo in the box, he falls down after the tackle from Dani Alves and the referee shows towards the penalty spot.
		The replay shows Benzema was offside on the previous play.
	53	Gareth Bale drives the ball over the left flank and slides it between two defenders for Karim Benzema in open space, but he can't strike his hattrick as Victor Valdes again pulls of the save.
	51	Neymar seems to have picked a minor injury, but will be okay and fit to continue playing. Di María was coming in for the tackle, no foul whatsoever and Real stop the play. Barca then gave it back.
	50	Messi gets cut off by Xabi Alonso at some 20 metres away and the midfield clears the ball into touch on the right for Barcelona.
	49	The corner kick is taken long to the far post, Real clear for short, the ball is back in the final thrid slowly falling into the area intended for Fábregas who fouls Marcelo covering him.
	49	Barcelona win the corner from the right hand side after the cross from the edge of the box gets blocked.
	48	Today's attendance is 85 454.
	47	Sergio Ramos and Marcelo clear the first attack from Barcelona on the right, but Bale can't catch the overlapping floating pass to the other touch line.
	46	No substitutes after the first 45 minutes, so we continue with the same lineups.
	46	Start of 2nd half.
		Halftime stats: Shots (on goal): RMA 10 (5), FCB 8 (3) Free kicks: RMA 3, FCB 11 Corners: RMA 0, RMA 1 Fouls: RMA 11, FCB 3 Yellow cards: RMA 2, FCB 1 Possession: RMA 33%, FCB 67%.
		After an utterly interesting first half, no one should be left dissapointed. Four goals, two apiece saw the first half end where it started, in a draw. After a crushing start from the visitors and Neymar missing the opening chance, Iniesta opened the scoring in the 7th minute. Real turns the game around as Benzema strikes twice, but then Messi becomes the best El Clásico scorer in the history as he brings the equalizer in the closing minutes of the first half.
	45+1	1st halftime finished.
	45+1	Huge chance for Real Madrid, Benzema rises high at the back post and bullets another header at goal, but this time he doesn't get his angles right and sends his attempts wide of the mark!
	45	One minute will be added to the ned of the first half.
	43	Yellow card has been awarded Fábregas (FC Barcelona).
	43	Yellow card has been awarded Pepe (Real Madrid).
	43	Ugly, unsportmanship scenes after the goal including Cesc Fábregas and Pepe, who have a chat and both end up on the ground, the referee will bring yellows from the pocket.
	42	Goal for Barcelona! LIONEL MESSI brings another equaliser to the game after a flipper in the penalty area as Neymar gets his effort blocked, but the bounce finds Messi at the penalty spot who cold-bloded puts it into the lower right.
	41	Neymar controls the ball in midfield bu upon being pressurized dashes behind the opposite player and slides a tackle to prevent Real from going forward.
	39	Cristiano Ronaldo committs a foul on the right wing going on the attack as Barcelona win the free kick.
	37	Neymar puts the ball through to Fábregas from the middle, it's a bit too quick for the Spanish to catch it, goal kick to López.
	35	Ángel Di María (RMA) gets into the ref's book for the tackle in midfield.
	35	Cristiano Ronaldo tries to find space through two defenders, but Piqué keeps his head cool and clears the ball before the first dribble.
	34	Messi at the edge of the area slides the ball to the left edge for Jordi Alba, he tries to get the favour back into the middle seeking Messi at the penalty spot, but the defense clears the danger.
	33	Andrés Iniesta seeking Fábregas in space coming off the left flank, puts the ball through, though only for Pepe who anticipates the interception.
	32	Luka Modrić clears the cross from the left and Real can go on the counter, Gareth Bale gets the pass into space on the right hand side closing towards the penalty area, Alba is there and deals with the situation.
	30	Xavi takes the free kick in the end, strikes it into the wall as it ricochets off to the left, though Jordi Alba couldn't keep possession with pressure up on him, goal kick to López.
	29	Hand play by Di María at some 20-25 metres of distance. Free kick to Barcelona, Messi and Xavi around the ball.
	27	Ronaldo cannons off the wall on the free kick, the ball bounces to the edge of the area to Luka Modrić, but the Croatian international sees his effort over the bar.
	26	Barca win a free kick in front of the penatly area, Messi strikes it into the wall and Real get the opportunity to break on the counter, but in the end Di María gets denied in the area, Gerard Pique clears off the line!
	24	Goal for Real! What an answer, what a comeback for Madrid! Again it's Di María providing the cross from the left side, this time close to the goal line, but finds KARIM BENZEMA at the penalty spot who receives the ball amid the defense and strikes a powerful effort into the back of the net. Assist: Ángel Di María.
	22	Di María is lying on the ground now on that left side, as he collapsed after the celebration with his team mates, on comes the physio and will treat him outside the pitch.
	20	Goal for Real! Di María receives the ball on the left hand side and upon calming it with his legs looks into the middle for the feed, sends a mid air cross for KARIM BENZEMA who steers the ball past Valdes with the headers and scores the equaliser. Assist: Ángel Di María.
	19	Neymar gets a good feed into space, dribbles Marcelo out and tries his luck, but Marcelo managed to get back and defended it with a sliding tackle.
	16	Di María is just everywhere around the field chasing down the ball, incredible play.
	14	Leo Messi breaks the Madrid offside trap and runs through on goal but, with plenty of time to pick his spot, drags a left-footed attempt wide! He usually gobbles up chances like that!
	13	There's a tense mood in the air, but that hasn't stopped the high tempo of the play on the pitch. It has been end-to-end stuff so far! Extremely entertaining!
	12	Di Maria goes on a sensational run down the left and hits the byline before teeing the ball up for Karim Benzema, who balloons a strike over the bar form 10 yards! What an opportunity!
	11	Benzema tests the gloves of Valdes! Bale stretches his legs with a penetrating run through the middle and leaves a few Barca players in his wake before shifting the ball left to the Frenchman, but the eventual shot on goal is easily dealt with by the keeper.
	10	Ronaldo drives over the left flank controling the space completely but Dani Alves marks him perfectly not allowing a single feed to the penalty area.
	9	Real Madrid will have to open up now and set something down the pitch, they need the answer before their own fans.
	7	Goal for Barcelona! Lionel Messi handles the ball in midfield and seeks ANDRÉS INIESTA sneaking past the defense on the left edge of the box, slides the ball through and Iniesta beats López in the upper right corner. Assist: Lionel Messi.
	5	A feed to Ronaldo from the right with a floating cross, Ronaldo falls down and protests for the penalty, nothing assigned and a goal kick.
	5	Karim Benzema tries from the edge of the box with a low ground shot, but sees his effort wide to the right.
	4	Neymar gets a smooth feed into space on the right edge of the box, only his shot on the ground is only there for López to record the easy save.
	2	The play is mostly in midfield, with neither team managing the attacks and a lot of possession changes.
	1	Ronaldo right away gets action underway over the right flank, but his low cross to the mdidle gets well read by the defense.
	1	Real Madrid get us under way with the kick-off attacking from left to right.
	1	Game started.
		Starting lineups: Real Madrid: López – Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal – Ronaldo, di María, Alonso, Modrić, Bale – Benzema Formation: 4-5-1 Coach: Carlo Ancelotti Subs: Casillas, Varane, Coentrao, Nacho, Morata, Isco, Illarramendi FC Barcelona: Valdes – Alba, Mascherano, Piqué, Alves – Neymar, Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, Fábregas – Messi Formation: 4-5-1 Coach: Gerardo Martino Subs: Pinto, Pedro, Alexis Sánchez, Bartra, Song, Correia, Roberto Referees: Undiano – Díaz, Calvo – Leo.
		The players are on the pitch and the beginning of this huge football match is moments away!
		Scheduled kick-off at 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT, 00:00 MSK, 16:00 EDT.
		Sidelined tonight: REAL MADRID: -Álvaro Arbeloa (RB) – knee injury, return date unknown -Sami Khedira (DM) – cruciate ligament rupture, end of June -Jesé (LW) – cruciate ligament rupture, mid September BARCELONA: -Jonathan dos Santos (CM) – cruciate ligament rupture, end of April.
		Last match: Goals from Neymar and Alexis Sánchez saw Gerardo "Tata" Martino win his first El Clásico in charge of Barcelona with a 2:1 win. Jesé Rodriguez scored a late consolation, but the damage had already been done following the Brazilian's close range effort in the first half and Sánchez's moment in the second. After Sergio Busquets and Sergio Ramos had been booked in the opening 15 minutes, the game slowly settled into its rythm with Barcelona controlling possession and Neymar creating two quick opportunites. Having missed the first, he made no mistake on the second attempt after excellent feed from Iniesta. Real were denied an equaliser in the waning moments of the first half by an excellent save from Victor Valdes. The hosts started the second half eager to double, though Iniesta saw his effort blocked and Neymar had a volley saved by Diego López. Real had struggled to create a clear-cut opportunity, but Ronaldo came close to levelling after Modrić had rolled a perfectly-weighted pass into space only for Valdes to deny him. Alexis secured the victory with 12 minutes remaining to play, as he executed a perfect chip over López. Before, Benzema had seen his powerful strike hit the crossbar, while Jesé tapped for the visitors in injury time.
		Head-to-head: Looking at the last five games between the two sides, Real have been more successful with two wins, Barça have won once and they drew twice. Barcelona – Real Madrid 2:1 (Oct 26, 2013) Real Madrid – Barcelona 2:1 (Mar 2, 2013) Barcelona – Real Madrid 1:3 (Feb 26, 2013) – Cup Real Madrid – Barcelona 1:1 (Jan 30, 2013) – Cup Barcelona – Real Madrid 2:2 (Oct 7, 2012).
		Barcelona Barcelona still want to keep their pace in the race for the title. but trailing 4 points ten matches before the end of the season will make it harder. Probably the crucial match will be played tonight as they MUST win in order to keep their hopes, and chances, alive. Their form hasn't been the best lately, 3 wins in five matches, two of those with the clean sheet and both were a drubbing handed to the oposition (6:0 vs. Rayo Vallecano and 7:0 vs. Osasuna last week). Pedro has been fantastic in recent months, while Alexis has played his finest football under Gerardo Martino since arriving and was the one who netted the winner in the previous El Clásico. However they might make way for Neymar with Iniesta set to operate in an advanced role on the left. Leaders: Goal-scoring leader: Leo Messi – 18 (21 matches) Assist leader: Cesc Fábregas – 12 (26 matches) Yellow cards: Javier Mascherano – 6 (18 matches).
		Real Madrid Los Galácticos come into this game as the table leader, with 70 points from 28 games. They've lost only twice this season and Atlético de Madrid keep pressure on them with today's win so now they're tied points wise, with Atlético having a match more played. Their form is great looking at the last five matches – 4 wins and a draw, all wins with a clean sheet. Real's BBC trio (Gareth Bale – Karim Benzema – Cristiano Ronaldo) have racked up 50 goals this term. Karim Benzema gets back followin an accidental collision with Ronaldo last weekend, while Pepe is fully fit after flu. Leaders: Goal-scoring leader: Cristiano Ronaldo – 25 (24 matches) Assist leader: Gareth Bale – 11 (20 matches) Yellow cards: Sergio Ramos – 10 (24 matches).
		A very warm welcome to everyone and a good evening! You know it's special, it's my honour to welcome you to the live coverage of "El Clásico", the eternal derby between the two megapowers of Spanish football, the never-ending clash between Real Madrid and their most fierce rivals Barcelona! It's going to be great, this one you cannot miss!
		Welcome. Game starts at 21:00.

Commentary by

Alan Ilijic

Goals & lineups

Goals: 20. Benzema, 24. Benzema, 55. Ronaldo (pen.) – 7. Iniesta, 42. Messi, 65. Messi (pen.), 84. Messi (pen.)

Cards: 35. María (REA), 43. Pepe (REA), 85. Alonso (REA), 86. Ronaldo (REA), 88. Modrić (REA) – 43. Fábregas (BAR), 66. Busquets (BAR) 63. Ramos (REA)

Real Madrid: López – Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal – Ronaldo, di María, Alonso, Modrić, Bale – Benzema
Formation: 4-5-1
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Subs: Casillas, Varane, Coentrao, Nacho, Morata, Isco, Illarramendi

FC Barcelona: Valdes – Alba, Mascherano, Piqué, Alves – Neymar, Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, Fábregas – Messi
Formation: 4-5-1
Coach: Gerardo Martino
Subs: Pinto, Pedro, Alexis Sánchez, Bartra, Song, Correia, Roberto

Referees: Undiano – Díaz, Calvo – Leo

Attendance: 85 454