Ibrahimovic goal settles ‘El Clasico’

By Mark Carter
9:44am UK, Monday November 30, 2009

By Mark Carter, 9:44am UK, Monday November 30, 2009

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Barcelona 1 – 0 Real Madrid

Zlatan Ibrahimovic emerged from the bench to become the match-winning hero as 10-man Barcelona overcame Real Madrid 1-0 in a captivating ‘El Clasico’ at the Camp Nou.

The prolific hitman hammered home an exquisite volley five minutes after replacing Thierry Henry as Real were left to rue several squandered chances that allowed Barca to open up a two-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Sergio Busquets’ second yellow card saw the Catalan club reduced to ten men just after the hour mark following his foolish decision to handle the ball, but Real were unable to make the man-advantage pay and their frustrations boiled over as Lassana Diarra received his marching orders at the death.

Lionel Messi – who had recovered from a thigh injury – and Cristiano Ronaldo started the game but the first half proved a largely disappointing affair.

Real created the better chances and should have been in front on 20 minutes after Kaka fed Ronaldo the ball inside the 18-yard box.

The Portuguese superstar’s low effort required a fantastic save by Victor Valdes with his trailing leg to deny him a perfect return following a lengthy and frustrating injury lay-off.

Barca lacked an attacking spearhead throughout the half with the ageing Henry, who regularly drifted into the left channel, unable to attack the ball on the occasions it was played across goal.

The game was proving a fairly scrappy affair considering the amount, and value, of talent on display, but Real were able to carve out another opportunity short of the half-hour mark.

Another move involving Ronaldo and Kaka saw the Brazilian find his fellow countryman Marcelo inside the 18-yard box, but a poor touch allowed Carlos Puyol time to dive across and get a block in just as the winger pulled the trigger.

A feature of Barca’s play in the first half was to search out Henry on the left flank and it almost came to fruition when the former Arsenal legend chipped in a cross that had Iker Casillas scrambling to tip the ball over the bar.

Despite Barca’s domination of possession and flashes of brilliance from Messi, Real had proved the most dangerous side as the half came to a close.

Messi began the second half in similar fashion to the first by cleverly turning Diarra before being cynically pulled back by the former Portsmouth man – an infringement that earned him his first yellow card.

Six minutes after the restart, Guardiola sent on Ibrahimovic to the raucous applause of the 98,000 home crowd and his presence provided an immediate lift for the team as Barca forced a corner.

However, Real were able to clear their lines and break on the home side through Gonzalo Higuain’s surge forward.

The in-form Argentine raced towards goal before playing a one-two with Ronaldo and fainting past Eric Abidal to shoot at goal, but was thwarted by another last-ditch block by the inspired Puyol.

Three minutes later, Ibrahimovic was to mark his first ‘El Clasico’ appearance in spectacular style.

Dani Alves had time and space to search out the elegant striker as he emerged unmarked at the far post to emphatically thump a volley on his weaker left side into the net and past a stranded Casillas from six yards.

The Camp Nou erupted but their jubilation was to be hampered following Busquets moment of madness that saw him take an early bath on 63 minutes.

The sending-off instantly stretched the game as Real began to take the game to Barca.

Marcelo found space on the left and delivered a cross for Ronaldo to rise high and head at goal, but the current World Player of the Year failed to keep his header down and it sailed over the bar.

It was to be his last involvement in the game as his lack of match fitness became apparent and he was replaced by Karim Benzema on 66 minutes.

Moments later, Messi miraculously turned away from the attention of three Real players before jinking past Pepe who then bundled him to the ground.

Xavi curled the subsequent free-kick into the far post and onto the head of Gerald Pique, but the former Manchester Untied defender could only direct his free-header tamely wide of the post.

Barca had another chance to double their lead on 76 minutes. A period of patient one-touch football resulted in Abidal latching onto Xavi’s through pass before driving the ball across the face of the goal and only just wide of Casillas’ left-hand post.

Real were able to muster one final chance with ten minutes left on the clock.

Xabi Alonso’s corner-kick found its way through the melee to Benzema but the French international blazed over the bar from close-range under close attention from Pique.

As the game drew to a close Real president Florentino Perez was seen in the stands looking to the sky in despair and his anguish was almost compounded in the final minute after Dani Alves threaded a pass across goal into the path of Messi.

The effervescent forward struck the ball first time but was denied a goal to cap a sublime display brilliantly by the out-stretched boot of Casillas.

A period of keep-ball by Barcelona towards the corner flag saw frustration get the better of Diarra and he chopped down Xavi to bring a thoroughly entertaining half to a close with his second yellow card of the evening.

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Keita (Toure, 66), Iniesta, Henry (Ibrahimovic, 51), Messi

Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Arbeloa (Raul, 74), Lass, Alonso, Ronaldo (Benzema, 66), Kaka, Marcelo, Higuain

Man of the Match: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Exquisite match-winning goal to condemn his side’s arch-rivals to defeat and open up a two-point lead at the La Liga summit.

HAVE YOUR SAY - 8 Comments

Kieran on November 30th, 2009 at 11:23am

What a fantastic strike by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I thought it was incredible how he was only on a matter of minutes and produced such a strike.

A question for Mark, who would you choose Ibrahimovic, Torres or Drogba to lead your front line?
Mark Carter on November 30th, 2009 at 12:31pm

Hi Kieran,

I’m glad you asked because it does frustrate me when Ibra isn’t mentioned in the same breath as Torres and Drogba by our beloved pundits are clamouring to name the ‘best striker in the world’.

But, I would have to say Torres. His speed, power and prolificacy in front of goal – 60 goals in 96 games for Liverpool – make him the stand-out choice for me.

At Liverpool (when both are available to start alongside each other!) he enjoys the service of arguably one of the greatest players in the world, Steven Gerrard, but if he were to turn out for Barca and be assisted by Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, he would be unstoppable.

I would have no doubts about him finishing as the European Golden Shoe winner in every season at the Catalan club!

Also worthy of a mention alongside those three is Valencia’s David Villa who has been in incredible form this season!

Who would be your choice?
Kieran Beckles on November 30th, 2009 at 3:18pm

I would choose Fernando Torres too. But I am slightly biased in that choice. I think that he is the most prolific striker in the world with regards his goal to shot ratio. He can disappear in games but if he is given one opportunity to score he will usually take it. When Gerrard and Torres are at their best it makes for great viewing. If he had the service of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi I am sure it would be quadruplet out of this world.

Having said that Drogba is a fantastic all round striker and I thought he was immense yesterday.

The reason I asked the question is mainly due to the fact in England, Ibrahimovic doesn’t seem to receive as many plaudits. Maybe that is because he hasn’t really impacted on games when he has faced English opposition? But by all accounts I gather he was worshipped in Italy and I guess now in Spain?

I haven’t seen much of David Villa this season. I would love to see him in England, which according to Sid Lowe could soon be a reality. Where do you rate Villa in comparison to Ibrahimovic and Torres? Even more clinical than El Nino?
Mark Carter on November 30th, 2009 at 4:28pm

Great minds Kieran!

Ibra doesn’t receive enough plaudits in this country for those exact reasons, but to see him week-in week-out in Serie A or La Liga is an absolute joy!

He became the first player in Barca history to score in their first four games and, when you consider the phenomenal strikers the club has had, it is some achievement!

Villa leads the La Liga scoring chart – ahead of Ibra – with 10 goals from 11 games and looks unstoppable at the moment.

His record for Spain is unbelievable. He has a ratio of over a goal every two games! I think the forthcoming World Cup will be his tournament and may even leave Torres in the shadow (which is almost unthinkable!).
Kieran Beckles on November 30th, 2009 at 9:58pm

Well I was very dismissive of his talents before last season. After spending a year in Italy my outlook has changed. He seems to have matured too, he used to be a tad temperamental if my memory serves me. Also he was playing for a Inter Milan team devoid of any real creative talent, think that would be a fair assumption?

Well after England, and seeing as Ireland are out, unless they get that 33rd spot Spain will be the team I’m rooting for. How would you rate Xabi Alonso’s impact at Real? I haven’t seen as much Spanish football as I would have liked.
Tommy Crean on December 1st, 2009 at 1:20am

Well lads,

Torres wins hands down, Drogba really can be unplayable at times also though. Whenever I have seen Ibra he had been pathetic, against english teams or not. To be world class you have to be world class against everyone. Not just in a poor Serie A or a La Liga with no defences?
Mark Carter on December 1st, 2009 at 2:53pm

Haha! That 33rd spot business made me chuckle too! It’s a shame the green army are out, they bring a lot to a World Cup, but life goes on!

Honestly, although I am a huge fan of Xabi, he hasn’t performed to the level he achieved at Liverpool last season. However, Pellergrini’s side was a bit of a shambles at the start of the campaign and it will take time for all the players to bed down into a unit.

Lassana Diarra has been their most consistent performer (although he had a bit of a shocker against Barca!) from the centre of midfield. He has shown all the qualities that Arsenal need in their engine room, so for them it’s a huge shame that his face didn’t quite fit at the Emirates.

And Tommy I understand your point but he really does have to be seen on a weekly basis before he is judged. He has been superb this season. Without him, Barca look a shell of the team (bar the hosting of Inter in the Champions League when they were irresistible!).

I think he will finally live up to his billing in Europe this year and be instrumental to Barca’s success in the competition.
Kieran Beckles on December 3rd, 2009 at 12:50pm

I don’t think he will perform to that level of consistency again. Alonso had the motivation last year and a generally watertight defence behind him and a tenacious midfield partner (Mascherano). Though I guess he has Diarra. I haven’t seen enough of Diarra to pass comment but just the name ‘Lass’ on the back of his shirt makes me chuckle and find it incredibly difficult to take him seriously.

Another great goal by Ibrahimovic last night. Tommy needs to get Sky into his house then he might change his opinion. He hasn’t been great against English opposition, when I saw him last year at the San Siro against Manchester United I was disappointed with his performance. I had seen him the weekend beforehand against Bologna and he looked quite impressive, great touch of the ball and was hoping he would nick a couple of goals against United.

I think that it was a master stroke by Guardiola to sign the Swede. He gives them so many more options: great finish, control, can hold the ball up and an aerial threat. Peter Crouch a poor mans Ibrahimovic?

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