thebeautifulgame11The 2 teams had between them 10 world cup winners on the field with another 3 on the bench. Any with so many winners on the field the games was certainly no t to be going to be short of some exciting play. However the 1st goal was on the contrary to all expectations. A goal in 21" for Madrid was something even the Madrid fans and Mourinho wouldn't have even expected in their wildest. And the culprit was none other than Valdes who slices a hellish clearance to Di Maria loitering just outside the 'D' and after some multiple rebounds fell to the feet of Karim Benzema who steered the ball into the net over the embarrassed keeper. This was just the beginning to a game which was never short of drama even for a minute. Besides the football there was so much blood boiling between the players of the 2 teams, that it was entertainment right from the word go. Real kept up the steam post that goal too and the Barca team was getting frustrated with every passing minute and but in the 30th minute Barca created one from nothing, Messi's weaving his magic by running down from the centre circle drawing 3 white shirts around him, but managing to slide a pass to Sanchez who whipped a shot into the left bottom corner giving Casillas no chance. This brought back the Bernabau to life with the chants get louder.
However the frustration getting to Barca with Messi losing his calm in the 37th minute with Pepe clipping Sanchez' heels and Messi getting booked for talking some big talk to the referee. 7 minutes later something incredible happened. Messi's late challenge on Alonso prompted the referee to reach for a card and incredibly pulled out nothing realizing just in time who he would be booking and ultimately sending off. It would have needed a brave man to send off Messi. However pitiable it is that two bookable offences are two bookable offences regardless of the player and with this act the referee has done his clan no good. This ultimately seemed to be the turning point of the game with the result going against Madrid
11.12.2011
nvrThat wasn't really a bookable offence. Both studs were firmly on the ground and he stopped his movement before any kind of real impact. Neither reckless nor injury causing.
12.12.2011
