Real Back On Top After Silencing Messi & Barca In El Clasico
02 March, 2020
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona
Date: 01 March 2020
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid took control in the LaLiga title race after defeating fierce rivals FC Barcelona 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night..
Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane made two changes from losing against Manchester City, as Toni Kroos and Marcelo returned at the expense of Luka Modric and Ferland Mendy. Meanwhile, Barca boss Quique Setien recalled Jordi Alba returned and Arthur instead of Ivan Rakitic and Junior Firpo.
The sides were evenly matched in the opening exchanges but Blaugrana had the first clear chance in the 21st minute after Alba played a cut-back towards Antoine Griezmann, whose first-time shot sailed over the bar.
Barcelona had another great chance to break the deadlock ten minutes prior to the break after Arthur went clear on goal but his curling shot was saved by Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in a one-on-one duel.
Zidane's charges lost several second balls from Barca's high press and were nearly punished when Lionel Messi went through on goal a couple of minutes thereafter but his thumping strike was smothered by Courtois.
Madrid were fired up following the break and came very near finding the breakthrough 10 minutes in to the second stanza after Isco unleashed a beautiful strike from the edge of the box that forced Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen right into a save.
With 19 minutes left in the contest, Vinicius Junior finally broke the deadlock for Zidane's men with a deflected finish past Ter Stegen after being truly a played in Kroos.
Setien responded with a double change within the last 10 minutes, after bringing on Rakitic instead of Arthur while Anssumane Fati came on for Griezmann.
However, second-half substitute Mariano Diaz sealed the three points for the hosts with his first touch in the overall game after squeezing the ball past Ter Stegen at the near post to seal victory.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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