A tenacious Barcelona pissed off Actual Madrid to safe a 1-0 victory over their bitter rivals in a moody Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on the Bernabeu on Thursday.
The guests defended fantastically after Madrid centre-back Eder Militao scored an personal aim within the first half, managing to beat the lack of key gamers Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, who all missed the sport because of of accidents.
It was a much-needed victory for Barca after arriving within the Spanish capital below stress, having been knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United after which shedding at Almeria to finish a seven-game successful streak in La Liga.
“We’d have appreciated to have had extra ball, management the sport a bit extra however we fought exhausting and competed at a excessive degree. That they had the ball however did not create many probabilities. We took the result in the second leg and that is actually necessary,” stated Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets TVE.
Actual Madrid began higher and dominated the primary quarter-hour, however Barcelona began to show issues round by taking management of the midfield and their defensive recreation plan labored brilliantly.
Barca centre-back Ronald Araujo did an amazing job at right-back to neutralize the risk from harmful Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema was left alone in entrance.
Madrid grew pissed off and tempers flared earlier than the hosts made the essential mistake that gave Barca what turned out to be the winner.
Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga provided a again cross to Ferran Torres, who reacted shortly to slip the ball previous Franck Kessie.
His close-range shot was saved by Thibault Courtois, however the rebound bounced off Militao and into the web.
The assistant referee signaled offside, however the VAR replay confirmed Kessie was barely onside and the aim stood.
Barcelona gamers have a good time after advancing
Barcelona locked Actual Madrid in a good tighter scenario within the second half and though the hosts dominated possession, they hardly ever threatened to equalise.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect didn’t register a single shot on course regardless of almost 70 per cent possession within the second half and Barca ought to have prolonged their lead within the 71st minute when a Kessie shot that beat Courtois was blocked by teammate Ansu Fati.
Substitute Rodrygo had Madrid’s greatest probability with a late long-range strike that narrowly flew previous the put up.
The groups meet in Barcelona on April 5 with the winners to face Athletic Bilbao or Osasuna within the last.
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