Pharis Kimaru
18 December 2011
After winning 3-1 against Real Madrid on Saturday, Pep Gurdiola did not talk much about tactics or the technical superiority of his players.
Instead the Barca leader chose to applaud the courage of his players.
“I am delighted with the performance. In life you have to choose to be brave or very brave. To win here you need to play a very good game, and that’s what we did.”
Barca were mentally tougher and stronger than Madrid who for the first time in three years were not totally outclassed or embarrassed by Barcelona in the El Clasico.
Madrid had more shots on target than Barca this time round but it turns out Barca had more heart and like Pep said, courage.
Barca were behind 23 seconds into the game via a calamitous pass out by Victor Valdez; it went straight to Di Maria and then into the back of his net via Karim Benzema’s boot.
A lesser goalkeeper would not have done much kicking after that but not Valdez, he kept starting Barca’s attacks as always and that takes courage.
It takes a brave team to play in a stadium with only 500 fans supporting them and 79,500 against; to play like Barca did and win is incredible.
Dani Alves started the game in defense but was soon unshackled after Barca fell behind and for most of the game Barca played with three at the back and it paid off when Alves delivered the cross for Fabregas to head home Barca’s third.
Barcelona proved on Saturday they are not just good footballers but a very strong team mentally; they believe in their football, each other and their coach.
Contrast that with Real Madrid who always play the El Clasico with a massive chip on their shoulder particularly Ramos, Pepe and Ronaldo, these three looked like they would burst into flames out of anger on Saturday and truth is they always do in this fixture.
Cristiano Ronaldo particularly was awful on Saturday as he could have had a hat trick and that is how you know he had a bad game — when we use words like could, he normally takes care of business.
Let me take you down memory lane just three years ago in a league game for Manchester United against Derby United.
Ronaldo had numerous chances to score but he missed them all or they were saved but the only anger on display was the good kind, he was upset with himself.
Still he kept on playing superbly and when he got a chance in the last ten minutes of the match he steadied himself, took his time and made sure he scored — Rooney was wide open but at that point it was personal, he wanted to score and he did.
Game over, Ronaldo 1 Derby 0, that was Ronaldo at his best physically and mentally.
The entry of Kaka changed Madrid, he revitalised them and you have to feel he has done enough to reclaim his starting berth since this was just the latest in a line of stirring performances reminiscent of the Kaka of old.
Ozil was terribly ineffective and in truth he has never played well in any Clasico yet he sizzles in other matches.
Speaking of sizzling, Frank Lampard is responding admirably to losing his place in Chelsea’s starting lineup; he came on against Man City on Monday night and was involved in the play that led to Chelsea’s late penalty which he converted, nay, smashed home himself.
Mario Ballotelli and Aguero make a fantastic pair and they made a mockery of Chelsea’s high defensive line in the first half leading to City’s opening goal and another nonchalant Ballotelli celebration. Chelsea fought back admirably and they deserved the points.
That blew the title race wide open and Arsenal can literally wreak havoc at the top of the table if they beat Man City on Sunday.
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