UCL: Messi Sinks Ten-Man Real

Messi's double puts Barca one step into the final (Foto: eurosport.com)

Jose Mourinho spent the last 30 minutes sending notes to his assistant from the stands while Iniestaless Barca were besieging Casillas’s goal. Pep Guardiola’s side stunned Real Madrid 2-0 last night on Bernabeu thanks to Messi’s double which sent the Catalans one step into the Champions League final.

Real were left in inferiority for the fourth time in a row. Pepe was shown a red card amid second half, something which allowed the Catalans play more aggressive and even score the two goals. On the other side, Madrid finished with 28 percent of possession and had just three attempts on goal. Anyway, the first chance of the night belonged to David Villa who missed a great opportunity in the tenth minute following an individual action which finished with a dangerous shot from the edge of the box.

Xabi got his first chance in the 25^th minute. Messi beat Real defense to feed the midfielder inside the box. Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola, Xabi’s shot hit Casillas and the sheet remained clean.  Arbeola was the first to concede a yellow card. The defender was cautioned in the 40^th minute following a trip on Pedro. With two minutes left, Dani Alves picked his first yellow for a tough challenge on Di Maria. Real’s first reply came in the last minute of the first part. Ronaldo picked the ball 20 yards out, but his thundering shot hit Valdez. The rebounded ball came to Ozil who also hit the keeper from an offside position.

The half time brought a jangle between the two sides which finished with a red card for Pinto, Barcelona’s substitution keeper. As for the second part, Mourinho started it with a substitution. The Portuguese replaced Ozil with Adebayor, but things wouldn’t change too much in front. Sergio Ramos was the second to concede a yellow card. The defender paid for his sins against Messi, but he will be allowed to play in the second leg.

Two minutes later, Mascherano picked his first yellow for a clumsy intervention on Pepe. The 61^st minute brought the firs red card of the night. Pepe took down Alves as the referee eliminated the Brazilian. Mourinho’s protests brought him a red card and a seat in the stands. That was also the turning point of the game which found Barcelona running desperately for the opener. Real missed another great chance in the 66^th minute. Alonso took a long free-kick Ronaldo headed just wide.

Guardiola then introduced Afellay for Pedro in what was a very inspired move. Just five minutes after being introduced, the Dutch created a lovely action on the right which brought at the same time the first goal of the night. Afellay beat Marcelo on the edge of the box to play Messi in front of the goal for a superb first touch finish.

Madrid picked another yellow card in the 83^rd minute. Adebayor knocked Busquets to get his name on the cardsheet. Messi made it 2-0 in the 87^th minute following a tremendous long-distance slalom between the defenders to beat Casillas from seven yards, into the far post. It went 2-0 as Barca are one step into the big final.

Said Mourinho: “Why does this happen? I don’t understand why Pepe was sent off. It paved the way for Barcelona to finish the tie… I’d rather say no more because if I tell him (the referee) and UEFA what I really think my career would end here and now.”

The second leg is scheduled to take place next Tuesday on Camp Nou. Both Manchester United and FC Barcelona have gone 2-0 in the first leg and are very close to play the final again.

Real Madrid – Casillas; Marcelo, Albiol, Ramos, Arbeola; Alonso, Pepe, Diarra; Ozil, Di Maria; Ronaldo. Reserves: E. Adebayor, Kaka, Higuain, E. Granero, A. Adan, E. Garay, K. Benzema.

FC Barcelona – Victor Valdez; Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol; Busquets, Xabi, Keita; Villa, Pedro, Messi. Reserves: Thiago, J. Pinto, G. Milito, I. Afellay, S. Roberto, Jeffren, A. Fontas.