La Liga - Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 1 - Match Report
Ivan Rakitic's deft chip is the difference as Barca take a major step to the La Liga title with a 1-0 win over Real Madrid
Ivan Rakitic scored a delightful winning goal as Barcelona triumphed 1-0 in a tight Clasico clash with Real Madrid to move 10 points clear at the top of the LaLiga table.
Barca won 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to reach the Copa del Rey final in midweek and, three days later, they prevailed once more at the home of their bitter rivals in a game that saw captains Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi involved in a flashpoint.
Rakitic struck the only goal with a cute chip that beat Thibaut Courtois with Barca comfortably holding Los Blancos at bay to inflict more Clasico misery and consecutive home league losses on Madrid.
And with Santiago Solari's side now 12 points behind Barca the title race may be almost over as a contest, although Atletico Madrid can stay in the hunt by winning at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Gareth Bale was a surprise starter but the Wales forward wasted an early free-kick opportunity, with a Messi chip floating off target at the other end.
Barca took the lead in the 26th minute, Rakitic racing clear of Ramos and delicately dinking a fine finish over Courtois after swapping passes with Sergi Roberto.
Courtois made a fine save to deny Luis Suarez before Luka Modric headed over the crossbar, the first half ending in controversy as Ramos avoided punishment after clashing with Messi.
Karim Benzema missed a great chance shortly after the restart, although the offside flag was raised as he failed to turn home Casemiro's cross, then Vinicius Junior was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Madrid pushed for an equaliser.
Bale made way to boos as Solari turned to Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio before introducing third substitute Isco in a bid to change the game, but despite late pressure on Barca's goal the champions held on to perhaps strike a decisive blow in the title race.
Goals/ Highlights
Chance! Wow! Messi fizzes a shot just over!
Chance! Dembele flashes a shot just wide of the far post!
Chance! Vinícius has a shot blocked by Lenglet!
Chance! Vinícius smashes a shot towards goal and is denied by ter Stagen!
Goal! Barca take the lead! Ivan Rakitic supplies a gentle chip past Courtois to put the Catalans 1-0
Chance! So close for Leo Messi! A deft flick over Courtois is wide!
Peep! Away we go!
Drink in that atmosphere! We are moments away from game-time!
Live Updates
Preamble
It seems like it's pretty even between the two sides!
72- @realmadriden have won more @LaLiga games against @FCBarcelona than any other side (72), while Barcelona have beaten Real Madrid the most often in the competition (71). Clasico #CLASICO pic.twitter.com/65Zg9sKEI3 — OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 2, 2019
15 minutes away from the big game! Who has the edge?!
🙌 VAMOS!!! 🙌#RMClasico | #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/5ZZxpZsaM9 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 2, 2019
Jose Mourinho is our guest for the Big game, and the Special One looked back on his record-breaking season at Real Madrid!
"It was motivation after motivation and that became obsession."
Mourinho on Real Madrid's record-breaking 100 point La Liga finish in 2011-12.#beINMourinho #beINElClasico #ElClasico
Follow all the live reaction on our website ⬇️https://t.co/mUfYf4NPOh pic.twitter.com/3x2JgYCXgj — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
Now for Barca! Arthur returns to first team action after a brief cameo mid-week. Samuel Umtiti has to settle for a place on the bench!
🔵🔴 Barça XI
⚽#ElClásico
💪 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/Rcdcc5jRgj — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) March 2, 2019
Team News! First up Real Madrid! A few changes to the side that lost to Barca mid-week! As expected, Thibaut Courtois returns to the side whilst Gareth Bale gets the nod ahead of Lucas Vasquez in attack!
📝 Our #RMClasico starting XI!#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/I7gVbUowN1 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 2, 2019
It's all about the league for the Special One! Mourinho reflects on winning the league with Real Madrid!
Winning the Champions League or winning the domestic title? 🤔
Mourinho on which one gave him more pleasure.#beINMourinho #beINElClasico #ElClasico
Follow all the live reaction from our website ⬇️https://t.co/mUfYf4NPOh pic.twitter.com/8i8tex5xsh — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
So we asked you earlier about your predictions for the big game, and it's pretty unanimous! Barca will come away with all three points!
#ElClasico Poll: Not long till @FCBarcelona return to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second time this week - Let's see what your predictions are 👇#beINLiga #RealMadrid #Barca — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
Of course, Jose will be supporting Real Madrid tonight! The Portuguese coach looks back fondly at his time in Madrid, he was even supported by the chairman....
"The president and the board was very, very supportive of that project." 👀
Mourinho on the backing he was given whilst at Real Madrid.#beINMourinho #beINElClasico #ElClasico
Follow all the live reaction from our website ⬇️https://t.co/mUfYf4NPOh pic.twitter.com/Pvw4SqkJRx — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
How magical is the Santiago Bernebau?! We are set for kick-off at 22:45pm!
🏟 The Santiago Bernabéu is all set to host the second #RMClasico of the week! #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/CASsQUWVZH — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 2, 2019
Jose won trophies whilst at Real Madrid, but he had some pretty tough competition!
"(It was) probably the best Barcelona of their history!"
Mourinho discusses taking on Barca during his tenure at Real Madrid.#beINMourinho #beINElClasico #ElClasico
Follow all the live reaction from our website ⬇️https://t.co/mUfYf4NPOh pic.twitter.com/9j1fJ1X4dZ — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
So here we go! Jose is all ready to go! First up the Special One is full of praise for his former side Real Madrid!
It's one of the biggest jobs in football.
Jose Mourinho describes what it was like to manage Real Madrid.
Follow all the live reaction from our website ⬇️https://t.co/mUfYf4NPOh#beINMourinho #beINElClasico #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/MOnALIfwWe — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
Barcelona's changing room is all set to go!
📍 Santiago Bernabéu
✅ Dressing room
🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/7j0rglRT7h — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 2, 2019
Los Blancos have arrived!
🚍👋 The lads are here!@emirates | #FlyBetterWithEmirates pic.twitter.com/XkJAU3po1g — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 2, 2019
We also have Jamie Easton Live at the Santiago Bernebau to soak up all the latest atmosphere!
.@eastonjamie provides the latest ahead of the @LaLiga #ElClasico 👇#beINLiga pic.twitter.com/76OyTkq95f — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
Ready for the big game? We caught up with beIN SPORTS Spanish reporter Gabrielle Amado to talk El Clasico earlier today!
What sort of changes will #Solari make ahead of tonight's encounter? @gabamado talks from Madrid...#beINLiga #beINExpress #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/I2nSBVvyAs — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
So here we go! The Special One has arrived! A quick reminder the game is Live in English via beIN CONNECT. Also, if you fancy seeing all the latest comment from our very special studio guest, follow the live Blog!
Look who's in Doha ahead of our #ElClasico coverage 👀
Not long to go now until the biggest game in club football 🙌
🏟️ Real Madrid v Barcelona
⏰ 21:30 Mecca / 18:30 GMT
📺 HD1, HD3, HD11, HD14, 4K, beIN CONNECT #beINMourinho #beINElClasico pic.twitter.com/bV7IyAHsMA — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 2, 2019
Good evening! Fancy a Saturday evening slice of El Clasico? Of course, you do! It's El Clasico number four of the season so far as Real Madrid host Barca for the second time in four days! The Catalans defeated their rivals 3-0 midweek in the Copa del Ray and can effectively put one hand on the La Liga title with a win tonight in the Spanish capital. As ever, join me for all the build-up to the big match, including reaction from Jose Mourinho, who is a special guest in the beIN studio for the game. Whilst I will bring you all the usual in terms of team news, Live Match Commentary and video highlights!
