Jan 18 4:33p by Graham MacAree
Read More: Dani Alves (DEFENDER - Brazil), Cristiano Ronaldo (MIDFIELDER - Portugal), Jose Pinto (GOALKEEPER - Barcelona), Karim Benzema (F - France), Barcelona, Real Madrid
Broadly speaking, Barcelona have been well on top since Cristiano Ronaldo's opening goal (then again, Barcelona are always well on top by possession and territory). Ronaldo had a huge chance to change that and make it 2-0 to Real Madrid just now, having caught Dani Alves in possession near the halfway line and sprinting with the ball towards Jose Pinto's goal. It's a similar position to that from which he scored his opener, but instead of bursting into the box, Ronaldo opts to try to slip Karim Benzema in and gets his pass all wrong, allowing Eric Abidal to clear.
Again, Barcelona respond instantly. That man Lionel Messi breaks down the left, cuts inside to shoot and opts to blast the ball at the tasty-looking hole at Iker Casillas's near post. Unfortunately for the visitors, Spain's number one is once again up to the challenge and beats the ball clear. Minutes later, a rare bit of poor control lets Madrid off the hook and Andres Iniesta miscontrols and blasts an excellent chance well wide. This is quite a good match of football, and it's 1-0 Madrid.
For more on the two teams, check out Real Madrid blog Managing Madrid and FC Barcelona blog Barca Blaugranes. We'll have live coverage of the match in our Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, 2012 El Clasico StoryStream.
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Real Madrid Vs. Barcelona, 2012 El Clasico: Chances Spurned At Both Ends
Jan 18
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