Ronaldo urges 73,000 fans to 'calm down' after scoring the winner
Cristiano Ronaldo broke Barca’s heart with a 73rd minute clinical goal, as he won his first la liga el clasico. The Catalans looked distraught at the end of the game, as they knew that the la liga title had just boarded its final bus to the capital, Madrid. The figure of Pep and Messi that I saw at the end of the match was a rare sight- confusion and defeat was plastered all over it. Calm Xavi was ruffled and infuriated when he was substituted. Losing TWO matches in a row is not an experience Barca has tasted since 2009. That was just one of the numerous feat Madrid achieved with that win. Like I said in my last post, Barca had not lost a match at Nou camp in 54 matches, that record too was undermined with a 2-1 score line in favour of Madrid. This victory sent Madrid to a much desired comfort zone, as they go SEVEN points clear on top of the table, with only four games to go.
What's next? Should I stay or go?
During the game, I saw a Real Madrid team that sat together to analyze and learn from Chelsea’s victory over their fierce rivals. They were very disciplined and refused to for frustrated by the possession that Barca was enjoying. They displayed patience and took their chances when they got them. Mourinho must be a very happy man at the end of 90 mins. If he refused to have dinner, and opt for only wine, it would be understandable. He wants to leave Real Madrid with a new title..."The Only One”. If/when he lifts the title at the end of this season, he would have been the only one (Coach/Player) to have lifted the league title in four different European Leagues- Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.
Barcelona must now be asking some crucial questions. Do the results reflect an end to their dominance in European football? Will this loss negatively affect their second leg encounter with Chelsea? Will Pep stay after this season? Can he still motivate the players to get back to winning ways?
I do feel this loss will affect them in the short term, but that cannot undermine the quality in that Barca team. They have the character to come back stronger. I can only suggest that they device means of drawing opponents out of their 18 yard box, then hit them on a counter; as most teams will now adopt the ‘park-the-bus’ style when playing against the reigning European Champions, who are known with their ‘Champagne Football’.
Nevertheless, I was very excited at the sight of Real Madrid’s jubilation, as they edge closer to clinching the league title; and when they do, all will know that this el clasico was the title decider.
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