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Barcelona register narrow 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the away Clásico

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (C) scores a goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (C) scores a goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona registered a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Clásico away

Ernesto Valverde went with his strongest lineup, and Barcelona produced a spirited performance to edge out Real Madrid 1-0 in the second La Liga Clásico of the season. The result leaves Real Madrid 12 points away from top spot in the league table.

Real Madrid had an early opportunity with a free-kick after Toni Kroos was brought down by Sergio Busquets very close to the box. But Gareth Bale blazed it over. Barça replied with a few beautiful moves down the middle and dangerous counter-attacks.

Lionel Messi had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 19th minute. But after a flick-on from Luis Suárez, the angle became too difficult and Messi’s chip went wide. Real Madrid had yet another chance, and Gerard Piqué’s last ditch-block saved Barça.

But Ernesto Valverde’s men took the lead in the 26th minute. Ivan Rakitić exchanged a one-two with Sergi Roberto before providing a sublime lobbed finish over Thibaut Courtois. It was against the run of play, when Barça were on the back foot.

Real Madrid’s response was lukewarm, and Los Merengues put spells of pressure on the Barça defence. Luis Suárez had a chance to extend the lead in the 39th minute, as he found space on the edge of the box but his left-footed strike was saved by Courtois.

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The first-half ended in a heated confrontation between the two club captains Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi over an off-the-ball incident. Real Madrid started the second-half superbly, applying huge amounts of pressure, which eventually cooled off.

Then, the match became very end-to-end in nature. Both sides had found plenty of openings, but did not get the breakthrough. Vinícius Júnior had some great chances, along with Ousmane Dembélé and Luis Suárez. But none of them found the back of the net.

Ernesto Valverde’s decision to replace Arthur with Arturo Vidal turned out to be inspired. The gritty Chilean midfielder kept the likes of Sergio Reguilón at bay till the end of the game. His defensive contribution relieved some of the pressure on Sergio Busquets, who was on a yellow card.

Gerard Piqué was the best performer for Barça. The experienced defender was absolutely phenomenal throughout the game, as he resisted waves of attacks from Real Madrid. The sole goalscorer Ivan Rakitić was also amazing.

Sergi Roberto outdid fellow right-back Nélson Semedo in overcoming the threat of Vinícius and Reguilón down the flank. As usual, Lionel Messi was brilliant and the entire team showed immense determination in the dying minutes of the game to hold on to the lead.

Next. The curious case of Luis Suárez, the ageing ‘El Pistolero’. dark

This victory in the Clásico will give Barça a lot of confidence, going 10 points clear at the top of the La Liga table. The title race at this point is finely poised for the taking, and Ernesto Valverde can now focus on the second leg of the Champions League last 16 against Lyon.

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