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Real Madrid have done more than enough to answer their criticism!
To say that Real Madrid could have scored at least five goals would not be an exaggeration. With 15 attempts at goal, 9 of them on target, Real Madrid tore the Barça team to pieces with their relentless attack, although they could still have done much better than we saw.
While Los Blancos obviously could have scored a lot more, there were a couple of moments on the field that will remain the highlights for the rest of the season, moments that will surely be remembered at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Let’s take a look at them.
Thibaut Courtois save against Lionel Messi
It was minute 24. The game shifted momentum from side to side like a pendulum. Both teams had good chances to take the lead after goals from Fede Valverde and Ansu Fati.
Thibaut Courtois has had a particularly poor record against the Argentine, but has managed to keep him calm in his recent encounters, extending the record with another goalless outing from Messi.
In the 24th minute, however, Messi fooled two defenders and fired low with his right foot. If Messi’s dribble and shot were nearly perfect, Courtois’ save was equally impressive. That stop was a clear indication of how far the Belgian has come from the humiliating 5-1 defeat at Camp Nou in 2018.
VAR interference and Sergio Ramos penalty
This was probably the first time that Real Madrid received a goal / penalty courtesy of a VAR review in a Clásico, and with good reason. Clement Lenglet clearly removed Sergio Ramos’s shirt in the area. What remains questionable, however, is whether the decision was fair, as there have been similar cases that have not resulted in a penalty.
The original decision not to foul was overturned. Sergio Ramos put the penalty home (as if that was not obvious). The Barcelona fans were clearly disgusted by the referee’s decisions, who conceded many incorrect decisions in favor of Barcelona for most of the match (such as Casemiro’s yellow card).
Sergio Ramos scored a goal against Barcelona for the last time in the 2016-17 season, achieving the last-minute tie at the Camp Nou. So there is definitely the added emotion of the Captain scoring against Barcelona, especially when his goal was decisive and came in the midst of an air of controversy.
The quartet of opportunities
At the end of the second half, Real Madrid were leading the game 2-1, and it appears that the two teams are more likely to score the next game. Enjoying a good run, Real Madrid conjured four clear scoring chances, sponging them all.
In the 85th minute, Kroos forced a double save from Neto (credit to Neto for not letting Real score more than 3. Barcelona could have easily conceded six goals). In the next minute, a clean cross by Lucas Vázquez found Sergio Ramos in the area, who volleyed it directly at Neto. Raphaël Varane then headed the deflected rebound.
Real Madrid could and should have scored once on the aforementioned occasions, but these occasions were a strong demonstration of how creating chances was child’s play, and that the lack of quality in the shots has cost them at times. The cruelty is still lacking, but fans are sure to be proud right now.
The steps of Lucas Vázquez
There was someone else playing as a right back after Nacho left the field due to a problem. That was Lucas Vázquez but that was not Lucas Vázquez. Once Real Madrid was in the driver’s seat, the Spaniard was adventurous and all his efforts reaped great rewards.
There was a particular moment in the second half in which Lucas Vázquez received the ball in the Barça area and achieved (successfully) 5-6 jumping steps. It was a great move, a moment of madness considering how badly they have trolled him (including the Madridistas!) For his wasteful show. However, he made a demonic change. The fact that he has dispossessed Messi once or twice sums it up pretty well.
Luka Modric’s goal
This is my personal favorite of the game. Luka Modrić is making it increasingly difficult for us to believe that he is 35 years old! He found the ball at his feet with Neto without scoring the goal and the Barça defense completely clueless.
Today, Lukita showed off her immaculate dancing skills, moving her feet so delicately around the goalkeeper and finally guiding the ball into the net with her signature off the shot from the boot. The goal added salt to Barcelona’s wounds. The goal symbolized the ease with which Real Madrid beat their rivals.
The Croatian has been simply phenomenal. At this rate, he can easily play for Real Madrid for the rest of his playing career. It would be wonderful to see the magician hang up his boots with the Royal White jersey, although that day seems a long way off considering his performances and levels.
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