FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face each other three times in a matter of weeks, with both sides making the start in the Cup at Barça - and ending in a draw. In the semi-final first leg of the Copa del Rey, the Spanish rivals separated 1: 1 (0: 1). Lucas Vázquez put Madrid in the lead (6th minute), Malcom scored for the hosts (57.).
At the last meeting Barcelona had won 5: 1. In comparison, there were two crucial differences in terms of personnel: Real has not been Julen Lopetegui's coach since that league debut but Santiago Solari. And at Barcelona lacked Lionel Messi in the starting eleven, the superstar was sitting because of thigh problems on the bench.
He missed Barça - that was pretty accurate at first. Without the Argentine, Barcelona did not have the usual control over the game for a long time, and the team became particularly dangerous for the standards and counterattacks.
Especially at the beginning of the game, the hosts did hard. Reals Toni Kroos had the first chance of the game early (Marc-André ter Stegen parried, 5th); shortly thereafter, the 0: 1 fell, a goal that was wonderful to watch.
AFP
Vázquez immediately before the 0: 1
Karim Benzema took a great pass in the box from the right side of the box, and then put the ball flat and sharp in front of the goal, where Vázquez headed for the ball and tipped his left foot in at the last moment to send the ball home pressed.
But more dangerous was Barça afterwards. Sergio Busquets scored the free-kick (32 '), Luis Suárez failed to beat keeper Keylor Navas - all three of them were prepared by Messi representative Malcom.
The 21-year-old Brazilian, who had moved from Bordeaux to Barcelona before the season, was a dribbler and a passer-through, difficult to defend for Madrid's defense, and sometimes not at all.
And then came Messi
In the 57th minute, Jordi Alba got a straight pass on the half-left side; Although Navas was able to prevent Barcelona's full-back from striking, Suárez's second-half goal did not end in goal, but on the post. The rebound but slid Malcom past three Real defenders - 1: 1. And then Messi came into play.
However, even with the 31-year-old on the pitch, Barcelona failed to turn the game. Messi himself failed with a free kick on the wall (70.), also the substitute Carles Aleñá was blocked in his attempt (77).
Real had barely any chances after his early goal, the most dangerous was still the blocked shot of Joker Gareth Bale (81). Not lost, away goal scored - with this result, the guests should still very satisfied start the journey home. The second leg will take place on the 27th of February.