Barcelona come out of the Classico as winners, just as we expected they would! It was a great match, with both teams coming out to play for the win, but the Madridistas were no match for the Blaugrana in the end.Upon seeing the formation, we had our misgivings because we were really hoping to see Iniesta in midfield forming that brilliant alliance with Xavi, instead of where he was positioned on the left wing alongside Henry and Messi.
But as the match kicked off and progressed, it was clear that our players were moving and interchanging positions as needed and no one was really keeping to a definite area. At times the boys were slow to back each other up on attacks, but overall teamwork was wonderful and they were clearly giving it their all.
You wouldn’t think Messi had just returned from injury and post-international break hangover with the way he played. He was spectacular, as were the rest of the boys, especially Puyol and Dani. Puyol was incredibly solid in defence and the way he took apart some of Real’s attacks was just mind-blowing; while Dani was simply everywhere doing everything he possibly could. And how awesome was Victor, especially with those first couple of shots he saved? He may credit his boy Dylan, but the way we see it Vic is just fantabulous himself.
Sergio Busquets was looking pretty busy out there too – he put his heart into marking Cristiano, but his efforts got him two yellow cards and a subsequent red. Barca’s first red of the season, why are we not surprised that it’s by way of Sergio? We love the boy but he does get booked a bit too much… but that’s football, and in the end no harm done. Real Madrid also had a man sent off as well not long after.
We expected most of the danger from Real to come by way of Cristiano, but surprisingly enough Kaka was the real one to watch out for. His attacking was pretty impressive, and it seemed to us that Cris was somewhat indifferent, and unusually so. But who cares, our boys can take on any of them any which way.
The first half ended goalless, and Pep didn’t wait too long into the second before subbing on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That got us excited, and rightly so; because he didn’t stall on making his mark and scoring his first Classico goal – in his first Classico. And Dani’s cross to set up the goal was pure beauty. We just love it when Dani crosses to Zla.
Barca had several other great chances that just weren’t put away, including a close one for Pique off a set piece and another really spectacular opportunity for Leo Messi. We were that one would be a goal but Iker Casillas got the best of it; seems Leo was moving so fast he didn’t see Iker there before he took the shot. No hard feelings; what matters is that Leo played out a hell of a match and he looks to be back at the top of his game!
One player that did strike as us as not being totally on form was Thierry Henry, but we’re too thrilled with the win to care much. Titi’ll undoubtedly bounce back in time. Real Madrid could barely hold first place for a week and now Barca’s back on top with a two point lead, with all our players back in shape and showing the world what they’re made of. We’re content.
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