A tenacious Barcelona have annoyed Actual Madrid to safe a 1-Zero win over their bitter rivals in an ill-tempered Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.
In what was the primary of three matches between the Spanish powerhouses within the subsequent few weeks, Barcelona triumphed after an own-goal by Madrid defender Eder Militao within the first half on Thursday.
The rivals may also meet within the Spanish league on March 19 in Barcelona and within the return leg of the Copa semi-finals on April 5.
It was additionally the primary match between the rivals because it grew to become public Barcelona paid thousands and thousands of euros over a number of years to the vice-president of the nation’s refereeing committee. A banner by Madrid followers on the Bernabeu mentioned: “Clear and white, by no means tarnished.”
Osasuna defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-Zero at house on Wednesday within the first leg of the opposite semi-final.
Barcelona took the lead within the 26th when the ball cleared off Militao after a run into the realm by Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie.
The aim got here after Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga misplaced possession close to midfield. It was initially disallowed for an offside by Kessie however later confirmed after video assessment.
Madrid thought that they had opened the scoring with Karim Benzema within the 12th however he was offside. Kessie got here near including to Barcelona’s lead within the 74th however his shot from the center of the realm was inadvertently deflected close to the aim line by teammate Ansu Fati.
Barcelona defeated Madrid 3-1 within the Spanish Tremendous Cup last in January however misplaced by the identical rating within the first “clasico” of the season in a league match on the Bernabeu final 12 months.
In addition they received one of the best of Madrid the final time they met within the Copa, advancing within the 2019 semi-finals with a 3-Zero win within the second leg on the Bernabeu.
Xavi’s males received the win Thursday regardless of taking part in with out a few of their prime scorers due to accidents – Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri, a trio who’ve mixed for 40 objectives this season, with 25 coming from Lewandowski.
The guests additionally couldn’t rely on central defender Andreas Christensen due to harm. Xavi began with Marcos Alonso in Christensen’s place and Ronald Araujo was improvised in the appropriate again place.
Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets performed in his 46th “clasico” to surpass former teammate Lionel Messi and Madrid defender Sergio Ramos for many appearances within the recreation between the golf equipment.
Barcelona have been coming off a 1-Zero loss at Almeria within the Spanish league, which marked the primary time the Catalan membership failed to attain since October. Earlier than that, they have been eradicated by Manchester United within the Europa League playoffs. They lead Madrid by seven factors within the league.
Actual have been with out central defender David Alaba and left again Ferland Mendy attributable to accidents. Rodrygo was again from harm however began on the bench, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema within the beginning line-up.
The ultimate might be performed on Could 6 in Seville.
