Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona
Messi with another hat-trick and Benzema with a double were the stars of an amazing Clasico. Barca quickly opened the hostilities and scored early in the game. Two consecutive goals from Benzema at the 20th and 24th gave the lead to Madrid but Messi leveled the game right before half-time. Then Real Madrid took the lead at the 55th before defender Sergio Ramos was sent off leaving the Whites down to 10 men. As often, Messi found his way into the defense with to goals to conclude one of the best Clasico of all-time. A great game and a great Liga where Barcelona is just one point shy of Real Madrid and 3 of Atletico Madrid…
Coach Ancelotti reacts:
It was a good match, we applied pressure up front, tried to control the game and avoid Barcelona possession. I think we did it well, although we did make some small mistakes and that is why we didn’t win”.
“I told the players that in general it was a good match, they played with intensity and fought hard throughout. Now we have to forget this match and think about Wednesday, which could be a key game in the season. We have to be happy with the way we played this game, luck was not on our side but the team proved to be fit and we have the drive and ability to put this match quickly behind us”.
The fight for the championship
“I have said many times that this Liga is open until the last game. We have to fight and respond well. We have an important game on Wednesday and we need to respond immediately. The team played well, applied pressure up front and had a lot of chances”.
“We are not happy because we have lost an important opportunity but it does not matter. La Liga is wide open and we are going to keep fighting. There are nine matches left and, as I have said, it will be a very intense race for everyone. La Liga is wide open for all three teams and any match could be key”.
Coach Martino reacts:
“This was our last chance, we didn’t want to be left out of the fight for the title. “La Liga has started over, we’re back in the fight for the title. The players are the big protagonists, this game wasn’t going to change my perception of my players.
“The players can’t always avoid their rivals’ plays, our rivals also play football,” explained the manager before highlighting Real Madrid’s quality: “They are a team that always give you the sense that they will win comfortably, that’s why I value this victory highly.”
Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid share the top spot, while Barça are one point away from the summit. “I always believed that all three teams would still be in the fight for the title at the end of the season, and that’s how it is. We knew that a draw didn’t help us at all, and we needed a more offensive presence.”
“The work put in by the entire team was enormous. The names of Messi and Iniesta will always be remembered in football history. They played a great game.”
