However FC Barcelona has won much more than a pre-season title, they had gained the all important "psychological victory" that will put very deep doubts within the Real Madrid "psyche". If Real Madrid had come into this game in their best form & Barça was still working "it out", the latter in their "worst" version still managed to defeat the "best version" of Real Madrid. But there is more, the Barça victory has taken the shine & the gloss off all the hard work of the Real Madrid pre-season & Coach Mourinho takes a brutal blow to his already diminished reputation.
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| Iniesta: courtesy Pablo Pueyo |
Real Madrid was great the 1st half with pressure Football that again risked as they pushed their lines forward but by logical was risky allowed two magical moments for Barça; one with a precision pass from Messi that allowed INIESTA to score in the 14th min & then MESSI smashed his way through the defence in the 44th min to score. Real Madrid had managed to equalize earlier via CRISTIANO RONALDO who deflected a Benzema shot to make it a goal.
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| Messi: courtesy Pablo Pueyo |
The 2nd half was less intense, which was natural, after the extraordinary physical efforts of both sides in the first 45 mins, & Real Madrid earned the merit to continue with their original game plan which paid off in the 81st min when BENZEMA equalled the game & the tie. Then MESSI again decided the match after Cesc Fabregas passed & found the Argentine to hook & hit the ball that flew pass Casillas into the goal in the 87th min for the winner.
With the title in Barça´s hands, the inbuilt tensions & frustrations surfaced that lead into & finished in a disgraceful sideline brawl after Marcelo was sent off, with more red cards to Ozil & Villa.
But allow me to comment on the most disappointing of all of tonight ; CRISTIANO RONALDO. The Portuguese disappears "out of sight" in the big Barça - Real Madrid games. After witnessing half a dozen "clasicos" with Ronaldo participation & with the exception of his goal in the Final of the Spanish Cup last season , Cristiano Ronaldo turns into an invisible player, he is not there, not decisive. His "sporting adversary", Lionel Messi, is totally the contrary & grows in stature precisely in the big occasions & has been the main "destroyer" of Real Madrid - not to mention Casillas - the last three seasons.
In conclusion, the "worst" version ( form wise) of FC Barcelona can still claim to be the Best Spanish Football Club & the Best Football Club in the World. Tonight's victory will put Barça on a cloud that will lift them all season, while Real Madrid has lost much more tonight than just the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid may have won this season a real "nightmare" of doubts that may cause "collateral" damage in the Real Madrid spirit, dressing room & fan-base. Cristiano Ronaldo is a real worry & the Madrid Club will need a lot of long therapy sessions to get itself back up & - yes - be able to save this new season which hasn't even began.
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