Proud of the team, but it hurts
Barcelona’s unbeaten start to the season ended thanks to a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the first round. El Clasico Season is on Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. Despite the absence of several of their best players due to injury, Barcelona completely outplayed Real Madrid for 60 minutes and deserved much of the game, but an excellent second half from Jude Bellingham gave the Los Blancos All three points in the match were definitely not deserved.
The first half
Barcelona had a great start to the match, mostly due to the initial tactical setup of Xavi Hernandez who confused Real Madrid with and without the ball early on and created a lot of space between the lines for the home team to exploit as a midfield. Blaugrana Use quick, cutting passes to advance the ball from back to front and create a good attack.
They needed just six minutes to be rewarded for their early strong work and score the opening goal, as Ilkay Gundogan attempted a one-two with Ferran Torres on the edge of the box and never gave up before winning the ball from David Alaba. inside the box and calmly passed it under Kepa Arrizabalaga’s legs to give the home team the advantage.
Real Madrid needed some time to get acquainted with Barcelona’s formation but they eventually settled into the game and began to enjoy some possession, but they were never able to really threaten Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the first 30 minutes. the Blaugrana The team continued to play with excellent balance and composure on the ball throughout the half with youngster Fermin Lopez at the heart of every good attacking move, completely neutralizing Real Madrid’s biggest threats, thanks in large part to Ronald Araujo and Javi’s exciting individual defence.
The whistle came at the end of the first half to end the first half, which Barcelona dominated thanks to a very good tactical plan and many great individual performances, and the Catalans were in excellent condition before the final period. Real Madrid looked out of ideas and were visibly frustrated, but they had enough talent on the pitch and on the bench to turn things around. Will Barcelona maintain the momentum or will it? Los Blancos The reaction in the second half?
the other half
Barcelona almost doubled their lead just five minutes after the start of the first half before Real Madrid was able to respond, as Inigo Martinez hit the post and Araujo forced Kepa to stop the rebound, and the Catalan team succeeded in doubling the lead just five minutes after the start of the second half. Blaugrana They were determined not to let the visitors develop the game in the opening moments of the second half.
Real Madrid had a little more possession and were more aggressive on and off the ball, and Jude Bellingham almost found himself one-on-one with Ter Stegen before Javi came out of nowhere with a stunning sliding tackle to deny the Englishman a shot. Shot on goal. This was the only moment where Real Madrid were a real threat, and Barcelona did a good job of maintaining control of the game as we reached the hour mark.
Xavi made his first substitution 30 minutes from time as Robert Lewandowski returned from injury to replace Ferran Torres and attempt to score the home side’s all-important second goal, while Carlo Ancelotti brought on Luka Modric and Joselu from the bench to try and help. The Madrid team still lacks creativity and attacking power.
Ter Stegen worked for the first time throughout the match in the 67th minute when Aurelien Chouamini fired a missile from outside the penalty area that required a strong save from the Barcelona goalkeeper, but the German was unable to stop the next long missile: Bellingham. He tried his luck from 30 yards out and found the top corner before Ter Stegen could get to the ball, and the game was suddenly clear with 20 minutes plus stoppage time remaining.
The goal galvanized the visitors, who suddenly began to control the game, and Xavi’s response to Madrid’s increasing momentum was to send on Oriol Romeu to add some defensive strength to the team. Blaugrana Midline. The coach also made two attacking substitutions soon after, with the returning Rafinha and youngster Lamin Yamal coming on to try and punish Real Madrid as the visitors began to send more bodies forward.
The home side started attacking again, with both Lewandowski and Gavi getting relatively close with shots from distance, and after enduring a difficult spell Barcelona finally showed signs of attacking life as we entered the final ten minutes.
The game looked wide open and three points were up for grabs in the crucial seconds, and it was Real Madrid who snatched them: a cross from Dani Carvajal was cleared at the near post by Luka Modric and the ball went over the goalkeeper’s head. Iñigo Martinez, fell perfectly into the path of Bellingham who scored his second and Madrid’s goal in stoppage time.
There was no time for Barcelona to stage a late comeback, and the final whistle came to end Barcelona’s unbeaten run this season in heartbreaking fashion. We didn’t deserve to lose and we were the better team for 60 minutes, but Jude Bellingham is very good and keeps looking for ways to save Real Madrid from games they don’t deserve to win.
I’m hurt by the result but I’m proud of the way Barcelona played given the circumstances. Araujo, Firmin and Gavi have been fantastic, and once they return to full strength, Barcelona can certainly compete for everything this season.
Onwards. straight ahead.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Christensen, Iñigo, Balde; Firmin (Romeo 72), Gavi, Gundogan; Cancelo (Yamal 76), Ferran (Lewandowski 61), Felix (Rafinha 76).
Goal: Gundogan (6′)
real madrid: Kiba; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy (Camavinga 52); Valverde, Chouamini, Kroos (Modric 63′), Bellingham; Rodrygo (Joselu 63), Vinicius (Vasquez 90+5)
Objectives: Bellingham (68′, 90+2′)
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