(AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid host Barcelona in a tantalising Clasico that will have a major impact on who lifts the title in La Liga this season.
Atletico Madrid are still out in front, but the gap is now one point to Lionel Messi’s side, with Los Blancos just two points further back.
Zinedine Zidane’s side enter the contest on a high after pulling off an emphatic victory over Liverpool to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.
One of the keys to the game will be Messi’s impact after six straight blanks in the Clasico since Cristiano Ronaldo departed for Juventus, but Ronald Koeman is confident the Argentine can snap that streak to inspire the Blaugrana: “I hope that Messi can prove decisive because we need him to play at his best and for Barca to also show its best version. For our attack, our passing game, and to create scoring chances, we need Leo.”
While Karim Benzema, who has 18 La Liga goals, five less than Messi (23), believes Real’s pressing will be key to the game’s outcome: “When we press, we have to go all out. And when we have the ball, we have to develop good possessions, because they don’t like chasing the ball.”
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Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:55
HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
Real Madrid head in at the break with a convincing lead, thanks to goals from Benzema and Kroos. They’ve been impressive defensively and on the counter attack, though Barcelona might have scored late in the half. As it is, though, the visitors have a lot of work to do to get something out of this Clasico.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:49
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (45+3’)
Chance! A corner runs through to Messi at the back post, he chests the ball down and fires a low shot straight at the onrushing Courtois.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:48
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (45+1’)
Off the bar! A Messi corner floats beyond everyone, including the stretching Courtois, and comes back off the crossbar. Almost a goal directly from the set piece.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:47
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (45’)
Lenglet feeds Messi, who has a shot from a tight angle. Again, his effort is blocked.
There’ll be two added minutes.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:46
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (43’)
It’s started raining heavily in Madrid and the sound of atmospheric thunder rings around the stadium. The hosts have been forced into a premature change: Vazquez can’t continue after that earlier knock, so Odriozola replaces him.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:44
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (41’)
Messi, subdued so far, accelerates forward and looks for Dest to his right. The pass is cut out and Real Madrid come away with the ball.
A few moments later, Messi gets a shot off from the edge of the box but it’s blocked by Militao.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:42
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (39’)
There’s a pause in play as Vazquez gets some treatment for a knock. He’s back on his feet now and ready to continue.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:39
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (38’)
Dembele goes down in the box under a challenge from Mendy but he won’t be getting a penalty.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:38
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (37’)
Barcelona have had most of the possession but Real Madrid have been effective and clinical on the counter attack. Vinicius looks in particularly frightening form at the moment.
Callum Rice-Coates10 April 2021 20:38
