Neymar
October 25, 2013
Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 1: Neymar the star of the show
Barcelona’s Brazilian star Neymar had the kind of ‘El Clasico’ debut Gareth Bale probably dreamed of as La Liga’s reigning champions won in the Nou Camp.
Bale played an hour before being taken off in the second half and there were several bursting first half runs and shots over Victor Valdes’ bar.
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But the closest Madrid came to scoring was from a shot from the man who replaced Bale, Karim Benzema, whose effort crashed off the bar. For Barcelona’s debutant it was a different story.
Neymar got the first goal running onto and Andres Iniesta’s pass and set-up the second by playing in substitute Alexis who beat Diego Lopez with a sublime lob.
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It was a poor start to a game billed as the most expensive on the planet. With over 450m of talent between them Real Madrid were busy coming to terms with their unfamiliar starting line-up and Barça were slow to find their feet. Both Bale and Cesc Fabregas started the game as false nines for their teams although Bale soon moved out to more familiar territory on the right-hand side. Sergi Busquets was booked for foul on Di Maria and Sergio Ramos followed in the referee’s book soon after.
Bale made an important clearance back-tracking to cut out Neymar’s pass but his place in Madrid’s game plan looked far from clear. He was always going to get an hour in the Camp Nou but his return meant coach Ancelotti played Ronaldo through the middle and left Benzema on the bench the result was not convincing.
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Neymar, Fabregas and Xavi exchanged passes as Barça threatened and soon they were 1-0 up. Iniesta played the ball out to Neymar who was level with Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Pepe. His shot was not the most powerful and it brushed an outstretched Varane leg on its way to goal but it was enough to beat Diego Lopez.
The Brazilian had become the youngest ever scorer in a clasico beating a record previously held by Messi. Iniesta then passed to Messi and the Argentinian could easily have doubled the lead but sent the shot just wide of Lopez’ far post.
Two jinking Bale runs ended with him firing just over and after the second Ancelotti signalled to his team to build on the chance and move higher up the pitch but Barcelona continued to dominate the game.
A clever flick from Iniesta almost put Neymar through and then came Real Madrid’s best chance. Ronaldo crossed from the left and Khedira’s close range shot was saved by Valdes. The ball seemed to hit Alves on the arm as it cannoned off the defender and Khedira claimed for a penalty. Real could also argue that Ronaldo should have had a second half penalty when pushed by Javier Mascherano in the box.
On half-time Bale went into the book by raising his foot against Pique. He sought out the referee as the teams walked off the pitch for an explanation; he will learn quickly that all raised-foot challenges in Spain are punished with a booking.
He started the second half brightly with a run and cross that won a corner and then he headed back across the face of the goal only for Barcelona to clear.
But he continued to be outdone by the other clasico debutant Neymar. The Brazilian ran on to a raking cross-field pass from Iniesta and only a fine stop from Diego Lopez prevented the second Barcleona goal. On the hour Bale’s numer came up. It had been an uninspiring first clasico. The greatest compliment to him was that Barcelona had defended slightly deeper to cope with his blistering pace.
Bareclona made changes too and Alexis Sanchez replaced Fagregas. The Chilean who will face Engalnd in the next round of international matches was to have an instant impact.
He had only been on the pitch a minute when Neymar sent him clear and his exquisite lob over Diego Lopez ended the game as a contest. When Neymar was taken off shortly after the Camp Nou rose as one to salute him. Real Madrid homegrown youngster Jese got a late goal for Madrid but the home side held on to their lead.
Barça spent 57m euros in the summer on the Santos winger; prompting Madrid to spend 100m euros on Bale. For now at least Barcelona are the happiest of the two La Liga titans. And they are six points clear of Madrid.
— Daily Mail
