Lionel Messi shone through the red mist to give fans of football something to cheer as he give Barcelona a 2-0 lead to take home. Critics of football, and even those fans in Britain who deplore theatrics, had plenty to moan about as the first half degenerated to the point where Barcelona's reserve goalkeeper was sent off at the interval for his part in an ugly melee. In a first half devoid of much interest, or attacking intent as Real Madrid seemed happy to play out a 0-0 draw despite being at home, two near simultaneous incidents late in the first half ignited tempers. Barcelona players ran to surround the referee, gesticulating up field as Pedro writhed on the floor holding his face as Real's defender Arbeloa did his best to look innocent. Replays showed that Arbeloa may at worst have impeded a run from Pedro, but could easily have been ruled the other way as Pedro seemed to have little intent to go around the defender. In any case, no contact was made with Pedro's face or head, and he will lucky not to be sanctioned later, and a few of his teammates into the bargain for their wild protests.
However, Barcelona may have got some mileage out of the incident over and above Arbeloa's yellow card, and despite the sending from the bench of Pinto, as Real Madrid's Pepe was harshly shown a straight red in the second half. Once again, Barcelona's players mobbed the referee, and may well have impacted the decision. Jose Mourinho wasn't happy with what he saw, and ended in the stands after some presumably sarcastic jibes to the fourth official. Down to ten men, Real were unable to hold out to the end as the class of Messi came to the fore with two well taken goals, the second a brilliant solo effort that could easily be written off as mundane so easily did Messi cut through Real's defence.
And so both semi-finals might appear to be all over on the strength of matching 2-0 away wins for Manchester United and Barcelona. Real probably have more chance of an upset than Schalke, but purists may well be hoping for a Barcelona-United match-up at Wembley, and all will be hoping for a better spectacle than was witnessed today.
No comments:
Post a Comment