Real is suffering
The entry of Pedri changed everything, the ball is constantly in Madrid’s half of the field.
The resumption of Dembélé!
Barça is really very close to taking the advantage! This time, Dembélé roams the area, inherits the ball and tries a volley. The shot is a bit too crossed, Courtois seemed beaten.
Alves warned
Vinicius Junior is too fast for Daniel Alves, who trips him up.
Dembélé again
A new attempt for the French world champion, whose long shot is inadvertently deflected by Luuk de Jong.
The beautiful strike of Pedri!
Dembélé serves Pedri in the axis. When entering the area, the Spanish midfielder has time and uses it to hit hard. It is not on target, the ball leaves not far from the left post, but it is a very good opportunity.
Dembélé tries, but unscrews
The first opportunity of the second half is for Barça, and for Ousmane Dembélé, who tries a big shot. However, his gesture was poorly executed, the ball went to the stands.
The second period begins
Two changes on the Barça side: Pedri and Ez Abde enter, Frenkie and Pedri leave.
It’s half time
After another good situation for Barça, which hurts on the wings, the referee sends the players to the locker room with a score of 1-1.
Vinicius Junior, served by Karim Benzema, opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Luuk De Jong, taking advantage of a cross from Ousmane Dembélé, equalized in the 42nd.
With success, De Jong equalizes for Barça!
Luuk de Jong ends up finding the loophole! 1-1!
A real goal of the surface fox! Dembélé, again, center on the left side. The ball bounces off Militão, stuck to the near post. The Madrid defender not being attentive enough, De Jong passes by and involuntarily strikes to deceive Courtois. It’s his third goal in three games.
Dembélé shows himself again
Dembélé gets the ball in the left corner of the area, sends Casemiro to the ground on a hook and continues with a cross shot. It is, however, too crushed, not dangerous enough.
Real calm down and move on
Ancelotti’s players have just given themselves a possession streak, which has the merit of slowing down the pace which was somewhat carried away in favor of Barça. Asensio took the opportunity to try a new shot, still unsuccessful.
Dembélé looks for the skylight
Rather than center, Dembélé this time took advantage of his range of the ball towards the axis to attempt a curled shot towards the opposite window of Courtois. Like Asensio or Benzema earlier in the game, the ball goes overhead.
For now, the performance of the French, still at the end of his contract at Barça, is satisfactory.
De Jong, again!
Bis repetita for Luuk de Jong. On a new cross from the left, this time from Alba, the slender scorer takes his head from the far post. Courtois is still solid on his supports to protect the cage. Real are clearly in a moment of weakness.
Luuk de Jong misses the equalizer!
On a placed attack, Dembélé, left side, center in the heart of the area. L. De Jong, lonely full axis at six meters, resumes the lead. But the Dutchman fails to adjust, and sends the ball straight into Courtois’ arms! What an opportunity!
Real opens the scoring!
Vinicius Junior! 1-0 for Real Madrid!
Benzema lost the ball to Busquets at the height of the central circle, then launched his Brazilian teammate on the wing. Araujo can’t stop the twirling left winger from hitting and shooting Ter Stegen’s cage.
The backlash missed by Real!
The opening of the scoring was very close for Real! Following a loss of the ball on a corner played for two, Barça suffered a devastating backlash. The last move is for Asensio who, served on the right side, tries a brushed shot with the left foot. But his shot is, once again, too imprecise.
Small highlight for Barça
The Madrid defense is scared, after a breakthrough from Frenkie de Jong and a center from Dembélé released in disaster by Nacho. On the following corner, Alves tries his luck from a distance, but the shot rebounds on Modric. This is the first real highlight for Barça
Dembélé is stirring
Finally served in the last meters, Dembélé shows his liveliness by transplanting and then reviewing three Madrid defenders. Enough to open the game towards the right side, but in the process Busquets completely misses his pass for Alves.
Vinicius Jr spoils his duel
Launched by Modric, Vini Jr takes the Catalan defense of speed, full axis. Arrived at the entrance of the rectangle, the Brazilian releases a cross shot. It is too imprecise and not powerful enough, Courtois captures without great difficulty.
A first opportunity for Barça
Pique sends a long ball into the box, a header throw allows Luuk de Jong to attempt a volley into the rectangle. Fortunately for Real, Militão intervenes to counter.
Asensio is also tested
Asensio inherits the ball in midfield, then throws Vinicius far ahead, thanks to a poor alignment of the Catalan defense. The Brazilian gives back to the Spaniard, who takes the second shot of the evening at the entrance to the box. But his attempt is very disappointing, it goes very far from the frame.
Best start for Real
At the moment, Real are better at using the ball. The raises are fast and much more effective than those of Barça.
Benzema is already trying his luck
Asensio fixes all the defense and serves Benzema on the left side when entering the box. Unsurprisingly, the French attempted a curled strike. It’s above Ter Stegen’s cage. This is the first shot of the meeting.
Dembélé on the left wing
Ferran Torres will animate the right side, at least for the first minutes of this meeting.
Let’s go !
Barça kicks off this Clasico, in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
The players are on the lawn
The kick-off is imminent. No surprise for the shirts: Real plays in white, Barça in his blaugrana outfit.
José Luis Munuera Montero is the referee of this meeting.
Barça’s official line-up, with Torres
The starting eleven announced by the Catalan press is the one aligned by Xavi on the scoresheet. Ferran Torres, officially registered on Tuesday, will make his Barca debut. Luuk de Jong is preferred in attack at Memphis Depay. Clément Lenglet, Ansu Fati and Pedri are on the bench.
► The composition of Barça: Ter Stegen – Alves, Araujo, Piqué, Alba – F. De Jong, Busquets, Gavi – F. Torres, L. De Jong, Dembélé.
Big first for Ferran Torres?
According to the Spanish press, Ferran Torres is expected to make his debut with FC Barcelona on Wednesday. Arrived during the winter transfer window, he could be aligned from the start by Xavi for this shock. The attack line would be completed by Luuk de Jong and Ousmane Dembélé. We could find Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Piqué and Jordi Alba in defense. With possibly Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in the middle.
The probable line-up of Barça: Ter Stegen – Dani Alves, Araujo, Piqué, Alba – Frenkie de Jong, Busquets, Gavi – Ferran Torres, Luuk de Jong – Dembélé
Real Madrid’s lineup with Mendy and Benzema
Real Madrid’s eleven: Courtois – Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy – Kroos, Casemiro, Modric – Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius
Substitutes: Lunin, Vallejo, Hazard, Marcelo, Valverde, Jovic, Lucas Vazauqez, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Isco, Camavinga
Has the Clasico become a trivial match?
King Fahd Stadium is not going to become the center of the world for an evening. Not even on the football planet. The Riyadh stadium, with 67,000 seats, will however host a clasico. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will challenge each other in the capital of Saudi Arabia, this Wednesday (8 p.m.), in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup. But the passion surrounding this poster has dropped significantly lately. To the point of making it a match like any other?
Hello everyone !
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have an appointment this Wednesday in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, for the first semifinal of the Supercopa de Espana. A Clasico to follow live with commentary on RMC Sport. Kick-off at 8 p.m.