La Liga Week 34: Barcelona Humiliates Real Madrid 6-2
May 5th 2009 01:55
With Real Madrid going undefeated for 18 games since last December, the second edition of this season's Clasico promised to be a passionate affair as the defending champions could pull up to one point behind this year's juggernaut, Barcelona. What happened instead was a real massacre as the Blaugrana simply ran over Madrid by putting six goals past a helpless Casillas and ensure a seven-point lead over their closest rival in the race for the title.
The home team started pretty well as they exploited a shaky Eric Abidal on Barca's left flank. In the 13th minute, Sergio Ramos simply outran the defender before delivering a precise cross to Gonzalo Higuain who headed the ball past Victor Valdes for the first goal of the game. The whole play seemed slowed down as Robben and Toure collided at the edge of the box consequently breaking Puyol and Pique's focus as the defenders let Higuain slip between the two of them and take a free header near the six-yard box.
The Bernabeu went from a deliriously happy place to a quiet and gloomy stadium as Barcelona scored two quick goals just four minutes after Higuain's opener to put the score at 2-1. The reversal of situation didn't come out of nowhere as the visitors had signaled themselves in the game's first couple of minutes but were denied by Casillas' timely saves. Against Henry however, Casillas had no chance as the striker slipped the ball to the far post to make it 1-1. Just two minutes later, Henry got a free-kick near the goal line. Just as Madrid were trying to exploit Abidal's side, Barcelona turned the situation to their advantage as Henry – and sometimes Messi – slipped into the hole left by Sergio Ramos when he went to support Robben. It was during one of those occasions that Henry was fouled by Cannavaro who had to cover for his teammate. The visiting squad capitalized on that free-kick as Xavi delivered a splendid cross right on Puyol's header which crucified Casillas. Here again, the goal was caused by a defensive breakdown as Madrid's backline concentrated on the taller players and left Puyol alone.
Casillas continued his excellent work as the half went on but, apart from Robben who was great in attacking phases of the game, the players in front of him didn't seem too keen on helping him. A cheap giveaway by Lass in the 35th minute led to Messi's first goal of the game and both teams retreated to their locker room on a score of 3-1 for Barcelona.
Real Madrid gave some hope to their fans early in the second as Robben's free-kick connected with Sergio Ramos' head to make it 3-2. Unfortunately, the current Liga leaders hadn't said their final word yet. Right after the kick-off, Thierry Henry scored his second of the game to make it 4-2, and by then it was obvious that Madrid wouldn't come back. Messi added another twenty minutes later, and Pique – of all people – added insult to injury by scoring Barca's SIXTH's goal in the 83rd minute.
Madrid's incredible run came to a screeching halt last Saturday. There are still games to play to close out the season but the Clasico was THE determining game for both teams. I wouldn't be surprised to see Real struggle next week because this was definitely a hard blow to Juande Ramos' team.
The home team started pretty well as they exploited a shaky Eric Abidal on Barca's left flank. In the 13th minute, Sergio Ramos simply outran the defender before delivering a precise cross to Gonzalo Higuain who headed the ball past Victor Valdes for the first goal of the game. The whole play seemed slowed down as Robben and Toure collided at the edge of the box consequently breaking Puyol and Pique's focus as the defenders let Higuain slip between the two of them and take a free header near the six-yard box.
The Bernabeu went from a deliriously happy place to a quiet and gloomy stadium as Barcelona scored two quick goals just four minutes after Higuain's opener to put the score at 2-1. The reversal of situation didn't come out of nowhere as the visitors had signaled themselves in the game's first couple of minutes but were denied by Casillas' timely saves. Against Henry however, Casillas had no chance as the striker slipped the ball to the far post to make it 1-1. Just two minutes later, Henry got a free-kick near the goal line. Just as Madrid were trying to exploit Abidal's side, Barcelona turned the situation to their advantage as Henry – and sometimes Messi – slipped into the hole left by Sergio Ramos when he went to support Robben. It was during one of those occasions that Henry was fouled by Cannavaro who had to cover for his teammate. The visiting squad capitalized on that free-kick as Xavi delivered a splendid cross right on Puyol's header which crucified Casillas. Here again, the goal was caused by a defensive breakdown as Madrid's backline concentrated on the taller players and left Puyol alone.
Casillas continued his excellent work as the half went on but, apart from Robben who was great in attacking phases of the game, the players in front of him didn't seem too keen on helping him. A cheap giveaway by Lass in the 35th minute led to Messi's first goal of the game and both teams retreated to their locker room on a score of 3-1 for Barcelona.
Real Madrid gave some hope to their fans early in the second as Robben's free-kick connected with Sergio Ramos' head to make it 3-2. Unfortunately, the current Liga leaders hadn't said their final word yet. Right after the kick-off, Thierry Henry scored his second of the game to make it 4-2, and by then it was obvious that Madrid wouldn't come back. Messi added another twenty minutes later, and Pique – of all people – added insult to injury by scoring Barca's SIXTH's goal in the 83rd minute.
Madrid's incredible run came to a screeching halt last Saturday. There are still games to play to close out the season but the Clasico was THE determining game for both teams. I wouldn't be surprised to see Real struggle next week because this was definitely a hard blow to Juande Ramos' team.
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