EL CLASSICO 10.12.2011

El Clasico -- Real Madrid v Barcelona December 10th, 2011

The Real Madrid bus was mobbed as it approached the Bernabeu for the Clasico. There was quite an atmosphere minutes before kick-off.

When the action did get underway it took just 23 seconds for Real Madrid to score the fastest Clasico goal ever, a horrific Victor Valdes kick resulted in Karim Benzema scoring from close range. Barcelona responded and Lionel Messi saw his jinking run and shot saved by Iker Casillas. On the half hour Barcelona responded, Messi played in Alexis Sanchez who fired low past Casillas. Towards the end of the half Lionel Messi was booked for dissent and could well have received a second for a foul just before the break. Eight minutes after half-time Barcelona took a 2-1 lead and it was a hugely fortunate goal as Xavi's shot spun off Marcelo past the despairing hand of Casillas and in off the post. On 66, just after Cristiano Ronaldo had missed a sitter, Barcelona put together a trademark free-flowing move that culminated in Alves crossing for Cesc Fabregas to head home with a diving header at the back post.

Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Lass Diarra, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo. Xabi Alonso, Coentrao, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema & Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi & Alexis Sanchez.