The headlines for the 2014 Copa del Rey Final are yet to be written. Whose name awaits the history books ( ) And there was only one goal when they met here (.) in the final three years ago but it was a cracking game (.) settled by a soaring Cristiano Ronaldo-header in extra-time.(.) Barcelona have won both league meetings this season, Terry (.) Does that have any part to play? No, it doesn't. Err and I think that we can ---- for that part to play. This is a one-off. (.) We've come to that stage of the season where you do get a proverbial cup final every game, but this is the real thing. (.) The things going on between the two teams this season (.) count for nothing tonight. Both teams will believe they're the best team, both teams will believe they will win this game (.) And expect plenty of goals. ( ) It's fair to say that neither (.) come in to it in the greatest of form (.) Real Madrid were very fortunate (.) to advance to the semi-finals of the (.) Champion's League after (.) an anaemic performance away to Borussia Dortmund. (.) And Barcelona (.) have the prospect (.), should they lose here of possibly losing a potential treble (.) in the space of a week (.) They're now third favourites for the league title. After that defeat at Grenada. (.) Here's Modric. (.) Now Pepe (.) Di Maria, had a sparkling season! ( ) Scraped to Busquets and now Jordi Alba. (-) Iniesta ( ) Here's Marc Bartra, the (.) rookie centre-back what a (.) big evening it is for him. (-) No Gerard Pique of course (.) And Puyol, who's (.) had persistent knee problems over the last 18 months or so (.) Not ---- from the start but has said he is (.) on the bench ( ) So Barcelona without really their- their best centre-back partnership (.) and their number one goalkeeper. (.) Victor Valdes out injured of course. That's a foul on Neymar. ( ) Mateo Lahoz (.) with a card out (.) for Isco (.) With less than three minutes of the Copa del Rey Final ( ) Slightly tough on Isco there (.) early on in the game. ---- startin' line-up but is a clear foul and it is probably, (.) doesn't matter what minute of the game it is (.) worthy of a yellow card. (.) And he's playing in that midfield trio (.) finding wherever he's gonna start tonight, wherever he's gonna play. It's Bale on the left upfront, di Maria's starting on the right. (.) Benzema of course leading the line. (.) And Isco playing in that midfield trio with Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric. So he's gonna have to make (.) one two more challenges in that department of the pitch ( ) Here's Neymar (.), starting on the right. (.) Where he did for last month's Clasico at Bernabeu and (.) came in for (.) plenty of criticism for (.) his lack of work rate which allowed di Maria to (.) really run the show in that match for (.) 20 minutes. (.) Here's Jordi Alba, challenged by Carvajal! (.) The referee says goal kick. There's no real complaint from Barcelona but he had to time that, Dani Carvajal. Certainly no penalty, no dive. (.) No real appeal from Barcelona, just good defending from Carvajal. (.) Clearly gets the ball ---- Jordi Alba (.) Impressive bit of play there from Barcelona, quick passing and (.) a forward run of Jordi Alba certainly caused the- the Real Madrid defence some problem. (.) The general consensus of opinion, (.) Terry over Martino's (.) starting eleven tonight is that one (.) of Pedro or Alexis (.) should have started. Are you in that camp? Very firmly. I'm still waiting to see where Fabregas is played in this (.)---- Barcelona setup. ( ) It's not yet clear he's been upfront, he's been on the left of attack (.) I can see him back in centre-midfield. He's a fluent midfield (.)---- It's a chance here for Gareth BALE! (.) He had support on the far post from di Maria but only one thing on Bale's mind there (.) was the strike for goal. And it's the right thought on his mind, wasn't it. (.) Played the ball forward, Isco with a great little pass, Bale on the move, on the run. (.) He gets great contact with it, a good strike. Just strikes it past far post. (.) ---- for Barcelona already. (.) ---- decent attacks and it looked promising. ( ) Messi. (.) Jordi Alba ---- Iniesta ( ) Now Xavi, playing in his fourth (.) Copa del Rey final (.)---- by Dani Alves ---- for (.) Casillas. ( ) Put well under pressure there, Ramos. Referee applies advantage. (.) Challenge came in (.) from Fabregas (.) As switch ball and this is Karim Benzema (.) Isco, and now BALE! (.) Claims a corner and it is (.) the first corner of the game goes to Real Madrid. --- very pleased to be ---- only six minutes in, couple attempts on goal (.) The attacking play from both teams is (.) so quick, so lucid (.) Difficult for defenders to pick up Benzemier-Benzema there for ---- the ball for Gareth Bale (.) With good skills ---- away from his marker. In by Modric ( ) Coentrao will take the throw ---- decent run in the ---- at the moment, the Portuguese international ---- injuries to (.) Arbeloa and Marcelo. ( ) It's not just Ronaldo missing from (.) this final Jese, very promising young striker (.) also out as is err Sami Khedira. ( ) Coentrao ( ) Alonso ( ) A little dummy from err Coentrao but Isco wasn't ---- to it. ( ) Here's Neymar ( ) Closing the door, Coentrao (.) Both teams are doing ---- at the moment (.) ---- intense, pressing the ball as quickly as they can. ( ) Fabregas (.) Xavi Hernandez now Iniesta (.) No contact (.) says the referee who points (.) at Iniesta and said you (.) you tried to trick me there. (.) Now Iniesta (.) and a little push which is enough to (.) draw the referee's attention this time. ( ) The referee gets it bom- both right on (.) each occasion there (.) Iniesta was expecting contact from Pepe but it wasn't forthcoming and then Iniesta does give away the foul. Another referee and another night might have booked Iniesta for simulation there. ( ) Carvajal ( ) He's had such a promising season, Dani Carvajal, you (.) could argue a strong case he's (.) pretty much the first choice right-back now. ( ) Mascherano. ( ) ---- as if the ---- droppin' a touch (.) Could be expected (.) Both teams going for it ---- minutes of the game ( ) Iniesta. (.) Messi. ( ) This is Xavi (.) Neymar (.) Dani Alves (.) loses out to Isco (.) Quite a good pass for Bale, here's Benzema, on to di Maria, it's a brilliant move from Real Madrid, Angel di MARIAAAaaa- YES! 18 goals (.) this season (.) with the record of one every two appearances in the Copa del Rey (.) And so many big goals in the past (-) On big occasions from Pedro, can he deliver again (.) Two in the first 25 minutes and (.) three nil Copa del Rey- Rey-victory (.) 2012 ---- can he have same impact in ---- (.) almost 30 minutes today. Good work again here by di Maria (.) Stretching Adriano (.) Support from Carvajal (.) Corner! (-) ---- attacking ---- Real Madrid, it's been a while (.) ---- certainly ---- half. (.) ---- full-backs get forward. ( ) They still need to show ---- just sit back and defend, it's too long left. ( ) ---- back of Barcelona from time to time. (-) ---- Real Madrid in this set piece, they know they have the aerial advantage. (.)---- Pepe and Ramos in particular. (.) Hoping for the great delivery from Modric. (.) ----. (.) Pepe and Ramos looking for space (.) The header was from Benzema (.) ---- of Pinto was interesting. (.) Certainly got some power on ---- Throw-out from Pinto seems ---- by Isco. ( ) Xavi ( ) Gets in a mess with Busquets here's Benzema ( ) The pressure stays on Barcelona ( ) A good spell for Real Madrid. (.) ---- from the corner. (.) ---- great power on it. (.) Strike at the goalkeeper Pinto. ( ) Real- ---- switch on Real Madrid, he will see this as a goal scoring- (.) definite goal scoring opportunity. (-) Before the ball was kicked last Wednesday (.) Barcelona were still on for the treble (.) If they lose this cup final, (.) they could end up with nothing but the Spanish Super Cup. ( ) Alonso (.) claiming a deflection (.) this time a goal-kick's been given I think Ramos ---- deflection tonight he's ---- quarry (.) unimpeded in the box from the corner. ( ) Dani Alves. ( ) Xavi. ( ) It's just not happening for Neymar. ( ) Here's Ramos against Dani Alves. No! (.) He's looking to go to ground too easily there. Ref's done well tonight. (.) We've see- seen a number of attempts and he's spotted them. (.) From both teams to try and get free-kicks, penalties. ( ) ---- there from Pedro ---- gonna do, show some emergency. ( ) I made the point earlier Kevin about the bench. (.)---- stronger for Barcelona, too many options (.) they got Morata who could freshen things up in attack (.) Or Illarramendi inexperienced now, midfield player. (.) There's no one who can do the job that di Maria's doing or Isco's doing this- (.) They've really put in th- (.) the miles this evening those two, they're doing a really important job. (.) Highlighted there by Isco tackling there. Here's Iniesta. (-) Barcelona trying to build some momentum. (.) Carvajal doing a good job on Neymar ( ) Adriano ( ) Here's Bartra (.) Gonna have a CRACK (.)---- a bit of action ---- as well, Casillas just -- -- arms behind there ---- attempt ---- had Barcelona (.)---- central----- steppin' out the back (.)---- surprised ---- Barcelona can step in midfield (.) ---- effort as well. Xavi's corner (.)---- away by Ramos. (.) Alves. ( ) ---- steps into that area, not closed down sufficiently, might get a little nick of the back of Ramos. ( ) Alonso ( ) Good ball into space here for di Maria. (.) It's Benzema! (.) Oh and Pinto (.) just getting hand to that. (.) Might just have gripped him (.) from Karim Benzema That was a really good save again ---- football from Real Madrid (.)---- at his near post at the weekend against Grenada determined (.) not to ---- happen again. Just gets faintest of touches on it. Strikes the outside of the post. ( ) ---- (.) starting their repertoire of victory songs (.)---- early, I think. Still over a quarter of the game to go (.) but if Real Madrid were to get a second, and BALE HAS GOT A SECOND! Or has he? No. (-) Hah! Pinto thought the referee was pointing to the centre spot (.) for a Gareth Bale goal but he (.) he spotted the flag up for offside. ( ) Oh, just for a moment though, anyone with an allegiance to Barcelona held their breath. ( ) ---- Real Madrid fans were a bit out their seats It certainly looked (.) as if they gonna cause problems from every set piece, every corner. (.) Well it did appear that Gareth Bale was in an offside position and no complaints from Gareth Bale ---- almost (.) an apologetic finish ---- knew he was offside before he made contact with the ball. (.) Here's Adriano (.) Space to drive into, (.) Neymar, (-) Carvajal has had a really consistent (.) game tonight at right-back. (.) It's corner though to Barca. ( ) Messi, just peels outside the penalty area, joins Iniesta there. (.) Just for any (.) clearance- And BARTRA! (.) OOOHH YES! (.) MARC BARTRA ( ) His first ever goal in the Copa del Rey, it's a huge one for Tata Martino and Barcelona (.) 1:1 in the cup final. Well it's brilliant from the young central-defender (.) Showing signs of his responsibility. (.) Grabbin' the game by the scruff of the neck ---- earlier from a long-range (.) effort. And here, just two players from Real Madrid to mark (.)---- Pepe, loses ---- Bartra. (.) And it's a fantastic header from Marc Bartra, gets ---- from Iker Casillas (.) it's swervin' away from the vain effort (.) from the Real Madrid goalkeeper right into the corner. (.)---- gonna score, (.) ---- (.) But it's a great header from Marc Bartra. (.) ---- I was just thinking a couple minutes before that Terry, whether we were gonna get the ultimate plan B (.) from Tata Martino and Barcelona, Carles Puyol over the last few minutes (.) playing in centre-forward and doing something just like that! When it's the youngster Bartra who comes up trumps. ( ) He showed good personality in this second half young ---- and inexperienced. (.) Has shown signs of taking real responsibility. (-) This might just give his (.) career at Barcelona a real ---- in the arm. ---- we were looking for a Barcelona player (.) to step up and take that responsibility. With due respect, Marc Bartra would have been pretty (.) low in the (.) list. ( ) Coming just moments after Gareth Bale had a (.) a goal disallowed at the other end. ( ) Ancelotti will absolutely fuming now won't he. (.) It was Pepe's job was to pick up Bartra (.) And just Busquets and Bartra is all you have to worry about when the ball (.) is ---- in the air. Unforgivable that ---- Bartra a free header really, plenty of work to do on the header, (.) showed great determination (.) and a desire to get ---- and lose Pepe. Double up on those two and you've still got (.) white shirts defending you- your penalty area. ( ) Well it's the 168th and ---- one of those crucial Clasicos, (.) Real Madrid need a win to return to the top (.) Tata Martino's ---- maybe rests on this one. (.) Win and they're still in the title race, lose (.) and he could be looking for new job in the summer. ( ) Gerry Armstrong, as always alongside me (.) In this lofty view that we have (.) for ---- tonight, Gerry Obviously, home advantage is gonna play a big part but it depends on which Barcelona side turn up. I watched them last week and they put seven goals in and, (.) Messi was starting to look back to his best. And he's a danger, obviously he's a danger (.) still a little bit ---- Pedro (.) or Alexis aren't starting tonight (.) and they've certainly got more goals and more assists than Neymar (.) but err Tata Martino has decided to go with that line-up and we'll see how it goes but it should be a really cracking game, Rob, very tight but Ronaldo (.) is in fantastic form as is the front three Bale, Benzema all got goals in them. ( ) Ancelotti has promised the supporters that they're gonna go out to all-out attack Barcelona tonight (.) Of course, there is a- a third team in the equation, Athletico Madrid who have done (.) magnificently well this season (.) ---- have written of Atletico Madrid Rob and real technically they're top of the table at the moment, they had a good ---- today, Diego Costa on target again and (.) really, they're still in the hunt there, a massive threat to- for both of these sides. (.) Sergio Ramos to Modric who (.) is having an outstanding season, Pique (.) to Iniesta. (-) Even some of the players who have err (.) taken the greatest honours, world cups European championships, (.) Spanish Leagues, (.) costly priced ---- were looking very nervous (.) when they were lining up in the tunnel to come out (.) in front of 80.000 ---- supporters. ( ) When ---- met back in week 10 in La Liga Barcelona won by two goals to one, they went six points clear! (.) And since then, since October there has been a ten point swing in La Liga. Yeah, there's no doubt the form ---- over the last well (.) strangely coinciding with the return of Xabi Alonso in the anchor man in midfield (.) over thirty games now undefeated (.) and I think Xabi is a big part of that team. This is good play now, (.) the other Xavi, Xavi Hernandez on the ball. (.) ---- Barcelona tonight ---- Cesc Frabregas, who ----. (.) Alba to Pique (.) Settling to the ---- familiar surroundings. (.) Xavi, comes inside they say he's the old man but he still has (.) a full armory. (.) Ramos to Benzema (.) ---- man who needs no introduction, the whole of the Real Madrid support gonna be at the edge of their seats as Cristiano Ronaldo (.) ---- into enemy territory. (.) ---- Alves. (.) That was a good strong tackle (.) We have to say the Spanish media today were telling us that Undiano Mallenco (.) is one of the referees who lets things go- Here is Neymar, one-on-one situation and he (.) forces the first save of the evening from Diego Lopez. Good bit of play on the break, quick counter attack breakin' (.) You know Messi provided the pass and Neymar, was a tight angle but he's hit the target, Rob that's the important thing, (.) The pace has been set, (.) the pace is gonna be a lightning. ( ) Pepe hits it long (.) ---- Pique to take charge of the situation. (.) The senior central-defender of course, (.) Carles Puyol has played his last Clasico for Barcelona. (.) Modric. (.) His last Liga-Clasico of course there's (.) still a chance that Puyol may play in the cup final- But here is BENZEMA (.)---- down on goal, that's the man who scored that (.) goal after 23 seconds a couple of years back. Well (.) ---- leg here, that's a tackle, it's not a free kick for me ---- leg (.) of Gareth Bale nicks he ball (.) just in the important time. (.) This is the breakaway from Neymar and there is the tight angle I was talking about Rob, difficult to beat (.) And that's- is the chance for Benzema, he snatches out of his left foot, doesn't really hit the target. ( ) Ozil (.) ---- football ---- but err (.) Tata Martino would select the side that ---- the sooner (.) ----last week.- Here is Gareth Bale. (.) But he's decided to go with Neymar, the Brazilian, bring back Fabregas (.) Ball is teased up there (.) And err (.) there's certainly (.) a case (.) to consider. (.) Ah, I think he felt the contact, Cristiano was back-paddling- Dani Alves just didn't let him go anywhere (.) and err (.) ---- my first thoughts were (.) it's not a penalty, he just stands his ground, Ronaldo's backin' into him. ( ) Alba. (.) To Busquets. (.) Mascherano. To Lionel Messi. And he's ---- with Xabi Alonso on the floor. (.) Messi slips through the gears. (.) Ahh, ---- di Maria (.) put them under pressure. He's probably got the pace to stay with him. ( ) Xavi. (.) Busquets (-) The one thing that Ancelotti has improved since coming to Real Madrid is their defence. Fourteen clean sheets amongst (.) 19 matches at home. They've had nine ---- in eleven games here. (.) Yea Rob, you're right 42 goals for them and only 10 conceded- Here is Lionel Messi- Here's Messi (.) on the blind side is INIESTA (.) Did he ---- that pay. (.) A lightning strikes (.) at the Bernabeu. ( ) Well he's not been in the goals (.) this season that much but look at this finish (.) Lovely timed pass from Messi. What a left foot strike. He scored a cracker with his left foot last week. (.) Rob, but look at this first touch ---- from underneath his feet. That is a thunderous strike (.) and no way Diego Lopez is gonna stop that. What a goal. (.) Well he does specialise in scoring goals (.) against Real Madrid (.) And that is his 50th goal of his career and one (.) that he's gonna cherish for the rest of his life. (.) And look at the relief of Martino. Meanwhile the Spanish directors found another angle of the Ronaldo penalty claim. Well, it wasn't given then and it's ---- given now Rob. (laughs) ( ) There ---- the pattern for Real Madrid they've scored the opening goal in the past 21 matches. (.) Not tonight. ( ) Xavi (.) To Fabregas (.) Neymar (.) chasing lost causes. (.) Neymar ---- slip ---- Pepe. Excellent tackle from the Portuguese international. ( ) Cristiano Ronaldo. (.) Player of the year. World player of the year. (.) Ramos. (.) One of the new kids in town, Daniel Carvajal. (.) In his second Clasico. He's a bit of a rarity, he's one of those players who has err (.) hm, graduated from the Real Madrid academy. ( ) Xabi Alonso. (.) Perfect Pass! Carvajal (.) of Alba. (.)---- up by Pique. (.)---- in that situation, he, (.) he might ---- a few years ago, didn't he. ( ) Now we're looking at this break again, look at the space now, I do feel that Carvajal's comin' too much under cover. (.) Really has covered far too much (.) in the central area and that left a lot of space for Iniesta's first touch (.) and a thunderous strike. (3s) He's got a few famous goals in his career of course. (.) The winner in the World Cup final 2010. Yeah he certainly does specialize in (.) in big goals in big matches. (.) And they don't come bigger than the World Cup final. ( ) Ramos. (.) To Pepe. Real Madrid have to dust themselves down, (.) start all over again (.) They're on this incredible run, haven't lost in 18 matches (.) in La Liga, 41 in all competitions. ( ) Fabregas. (-) ---- to look at the formation (.) of Barcelona [tonight [Yeah ---- almost a 4-3-3, (.) Fabregas seems to have a roaming role at the moment. (.) He has but they're playing four in midfield and started off with four in midfield, but (.) again we saw Iniesta on this left hand sight breaking forward to- to score the goal as Cristiano (.) picks it up on down the left hand sight. Neymar (.) No sh- no strength at all on this shot. (.) There's gonna be a change in a moment. (.) Pedro is down (.) on the touchline. (.) ---- gonna err replace. (.) Would you guess that it has to be Neymar? I would think it has to be Neymar. It's Pedro who's coming on (.) He's does take --- when he brings off Cesc Fabregas and that's an even bigger gamble to go with three. But they're three two down so he could do that, he might take off Cesc it's either Cesc or Neymar for me. ( ) Valdes dribbling the ball along his goal line. (.) ---- from Marcelo, di Maria (.) Benzema (.) ---- looking (.) for some support. ---- to Cristiano Ronaldo. (.) Real Madrid have the advantage with just over an hour gone. ( ) Modric (.) Easy for Pique, now Messi. (.) Fabregas (.) Neymar looks as though err (.) he's out of fuel. ( ) Modric (.) Di Maria ( ) Barcelona really having to --- here. ( ) Messi (.) Through- [ball [Perfect pass, Neymar (.) Big chance, taken down that's a penalty! (.) A red. AND A RED! ( ) Oh law says it has to be a clear goal scoring opportunity (.) Some may say he was going away from goal (.) but even then he had a chance of scoring (.) And Sergio Ramos it is- has to- a pretty big rap sheet, gets his nineteenth red career- red card of his career. Well, is he offside Rob? He might just lean in offside (.) That's the question and he doesn't need to pull him in. (.) Marcelo was maybe even just (.) still a cover player. (.) It's been harsh the red card I think. ( ) Did he actually catch him? I'm not sure. DID he actually catch him! Not sure. (3s) Well next week he may have a right to appeal that red card. (.) But Real Madrid they're gonna have to play the last quarter of this game (.) a man down! ( ) Well at one end, Cristiano Ronaldo tucked a penalty away, and now the world's eyes are watching Messi (.) [Wow [And Messi does what Ronaldo did (.) and makes it 3:3. (.) Very emphatic (.) finish that one (.)---- hammered in with the left foot. ( ) Oh what a game we've got now, 3:3! (.) And I don't think he does touch him, Rob he doesn't look as if he makes that much contact if any contact at all. (.) Well he does [catch his left leg [It may have been the slight touch on the [left leg. Yep. [Left leg. That's where he does- make the contact and that's why he goes down. ( ) Well, interesting substitution. Karim Benzema, who remember is on two goals and chasing a hat-trick, looks a little surprised (.) that he (.) is being sacrificed for Varane. ( ) Now the French international, central-defender will come on. (.) And of course they (.) have to plug that gap left by Sergio Ramos (-) when we have 25 minutes remaining, (.) six goals so far but Real Madrid notably a man down (.) And you know they're gonna try to do everything (.) to try to even things out. Well Busquets is getting booked for this one! ( ) Wouldn't be a Clasico (.) without Sergio Busquets going into the book. ( ) His err twelfth yellow card (.) this season. ( ) Of course for Real Madrid a point (.) would be enough to take them (.) back to the top of the table. (.) Modric. (.) Varane, throws himself into the centre-forward position. ( ) ---- this err referee haven't sent a player off this season (.) This is ---- here at the moment. (.) Di Maria again doesn't play to the whistle. ( ) This will certainly suit Barcelona, the way they pass the ball around, they can (.) run them down, and buy their time ( ) Barcelona took the lead, Real came back to make it 2:1. (.) Messi 2:2, Ronaldo 3:2, Messi 3:3 (.) Messi now! (.) Chasing a hat-trick (.) To follow the hat-trick he scored last week ( ) Did look offside. (.) Not to the man with the flag. ( ) Iniesta. (.) Space opens up, blocked by di Maria. ( ) Modric. ( ) ---- away by Cesc Fabregas. (-) We have been waiting about five minutes for Pedro to come on the field of play. I don't think ---- in a hurry to take ---- they got the penalty kick and they were down to (.) ten men, I think he thought twice about it Tata Martino but he's gonna take Neymar off now eventually Rob! We were saying in the build up to the penalty that Neymar was coming off and [then he won the penalty [Yes. He won the penalty heheheh ----. (.) Ah, for another couple of minutes ----. ( ) For Neymar, the brilliant, young Brazilian (.) won the penalty. (.) That angle of replay doesn't show it perfectly, but err the guys back at home (.)---- err is having studied all of the, many replays available to us that there was a slight contact between Ramos (.) and the left leg. Yep. The left leg ---- the left leg of Sergio Ramos ---- did (.) make contact and that's what tripped (.) Neymar so no arguing's over that now. Yeah, ---- there referee's maybe even ----. (.) Barca fans will tell you that err (.) Ronaldo was very outside the area the ---- [he was fouled [He was! And err the Real Madrid supporter will swear (.) that there was no contact there. Well I think he was fouled. Ronaldo was fouled but he was of- six inches outside the penalty area. Here is Pedro, just on the park, first touch. ( ) Fabregas. (.) To Xavi. ( ) Dani Alves ---- the ball up. (.)---- (.) he was being out for the longest part of the season Raphael Varane st- started three of the last four La Liga matches though. ( ) There's tension in the air. In the Spanish capital. (.) Pepe (.) Gareth Bale, and Pepe goes down! (.)----a game (-) [---- doesn't it, but he doesn't take it too well [Well No. He's not the big sort of centre-half ---- but ---- a little bit [of [He was- ---- from- from Cesc- Cesc Fabregas, I have to say! It's a foul. (.) And maybe the shoulder gets into his back ( ) Of course Cesc Fabregas was booked earlier in the game so err (.) he will be (.) working on evening things out. (.) ---- ---- Cristiano Ronaldo- miscontrolled from Ronaldo. (.) Look at the chasing back. No sulking from the World Player of the year. ( ) Alves ( ) Lionel Messi ( ) ---- situation. (.) Kick-off tonight (.) Barcelona four points behind Real Madrid in the standings. (.) Barca 66 Real 70 level and Atletico (.) A draw would not be too damaging for Real Madrid. No. Keeps them at the top Rob! (.) Keeps it very interesting for the rest of the season. (.) But there's a long way to go. ( ) You are one of the global audience tonight ---- there are about 400 million people (.) who are tuned in (.) for this game. (.) The greatest game on earth they call it. We're done now with the talking, the build up to the game ---- is all about the football ----. I have to say the two coaches look remarkably composed, (.) Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, they know it's all about the football. Guardiola's kicked it low key, (.) but tonight he's gonna let his team hopefully, he let his team do the talking on the pitch. For Real Madrid must have been tempting for (.) Jose Mourinho to bring in an extra midfield player Lassana Diarra, but he's stuck with the (.) the pattern of play that his team has done so well with this season, so far. It's attacking, it's bold, it's very unlike Jose Mourinho, but it will make for an open game. (.) It's the third year in a row that, ( ) that Real Madrid have gone into the game (.) ahead of Barcelona in the Liga, as Villa's on the run, it's a stretch for Pepe. (.) Iniesta. There will be wave after wave of Barcelona attack tonight. ( ) It's a similar night to last year they played this game on exactly the same date. (.) And of course as an Ibrahimovic-goal that separated the two sides. ( ) Here is Iniesta the man who scored the goal in the World Cup final, trying not to hype it up too much, (.) but every one of those players out there (.) has ---- in their career. Pique (.) To Iniesta (.) Villa making a move, Pepe stretches again, he's gonna have his hands full tonight. (.) It certainly is gonna be interesting ---- Real Madrid try and win the ball back, will it be hard on the pitch, will they drop deep. Get numbers back behind the ball and out Barcelona possession. (.) For me I think they have to p- try and ---- with Busquets (.) It's gonna be interesting if Benzema drops in or Mesut Ozil, (.) perhaps even Ronaldo. ( ) First foul of the evening has the Barcelona fans ---- of their seats, the referee's done well, he has given advantage to Barcelona, tryna keep things moving. ( ) ---- from Pedro, away by Marcelo. (.) Scrappy defending (.) from Real Madrid. (.) Cool headed Iturralde Gonzalez (.) gives the free kick (.) to the men from Madrid. ( ) And we see the- the first thing, I'm sure many, (.) little one two plays, passage in plays by Barcelona. ( ) As one would expect there is a history (.) of bad-temperedness in this game. ( ) There were two players sent off in this fixture last season. ( ) Cristiano Ronaldo has got the ball cue the boos, well handled by Valdes in very tricky, slippery conditions ( ) ---- just had a bit of rain before the game ---- continued and ---- make for a slick surface to suit the passing game of both teams, Valdes picks up a knock there- It was quite concerning for Valdes, he's gone down and seems to be in some considerable pain, he seems to have sprung his shoulder! (.) Now he's the last man they want to lose. (.) They certainly do have an experienced goalkeeper on the bench in Pinto but hasn't played much football in the last (.) three or four seasons I guess. (.) Certainly wouldn't have played in a game of this magnitude. Oh it's an absolute freak injury, just appeared to collide (.) with Pique as he went down. Mmh Pique err Ronaldo gets the cross in at the near post and he clashes into the shins of, of Gerard Pique. ( ) I don't think that's going to be too ---- for Victor Valdes (-) Sure it's going to take a lot more for him to (.) come off the field of play ---- in the first four minutes. ( ) Well he is one of the veterans (.) of this game it's his fifteenth grand Clasico, (.) Victor Valdes (.)---- have five clean sheets in the game- That's Pinto (.) who is an experienced goalkeeper but this will be the biggest game of his career (.) if he WERE to come on. I'm sure that as you say (.) Valdes will tough it out though- Huhuh ( ) Here's Xavi. ( ) Miscontrol from Alves, Benzema gets into the thrust of things, an unexpected call for the Frenchman tonight. (-) Pedro It is out Marcelo who tries to play his way out the defence and bumps into his fellow countryman (.) Dani Alves (.) Lionel Messi still awaiting his first touch of the ball with five minutes gone (.) That looked like a corner. (.) Assistant didn't give it, Messi picks up and goes in his first ---- of the evening. (.) ---- Rob, but Messi ---- and then the ball appeared to be glued to his foot, di Maria clearly takes- takes the ball out of play (.) Tenacious as ever Messi wins it back the ball's glued to his foot, (.) Carvalho comes to the rescue of Real Madrid in the end. (.) Every Real Madrid player (.) is called onto defensive duty. Xavi stride across the six- clever ---- missed swipe from Alves, now MESSI FLICKS IT IN Oh wonderful attempt. (.) Pure genius. ( ) He's in the mood! ( ) It took him a- two or three minutes didn't it- to get into the game but he certainly has now. (.) Alves with the cross (.) It's all Barcelona in the opening stage of this game that got another corner. ( ) Well there's no roof on the stadium if there was the fans would be raising it, 97.000, (.) screaming and shouting. (.) If you were lucky enough to buy a ticket today on the street, (.) it would have cost you 500 euros a pop. (.) Benzema's header out (.) Abidal (.) to Alves (.) fancies a shot from distance and he had Casillas ----. ( ) Good early pressure from Barca ---- get into their passing game. (.)---- Messi curling it (.) in off the far post almost. (.) It's exactly what he's trying to do, beat Casillas, tip Casillas (.) Casillas has got no chance Xabi Alonso is there on hand as well. ( ) ---- glimpse of Messi there, (.) but he works all the attack himself, he won the corner, didn't he, and (.) and ---- corner, shot from Alves was, was half a chance as well. (.) Missing the opening scoring. ( ) All is pretty much (.) as was forecast. (.) Barcelona will attack, Mourinho's team will condense and absorb (.) and try to spring the odd counter-attack (.) for the fleet ---- Ozil, (and) di Maria and of course Cristiano Ronaldo. ( ) Pique. ( ) Xavi. ( ) Busquets. (.) Not such a measured pass from Busquets. ( ) Away goes Cristiano Ronaldo, he's strong, ---- and ---- (.) A ---- step-over from Cristiano Ronaldo ----, puts the cross in (.) Forwards for di Maria, a drop on the shoulder from the Argentinian (.) Strong block, and Real's first attack of the evening comes to ---- (.) Well, it's a slightly different shape from Real Madrid, but Ronaldo starts it out wide on the right (.) and di Maria wide on the left when ---- in recent matches (.) Gonzalo Higuain has been playing, has been playing down the cen- centre of the pitch, (.) centre of attack (.) And I think that's part of defensive (.) solution for Jose Mourinho to play Ronaldo wide (.), Angel di Maria wide on the other side, try and stop the Barcelona full backs, coming forward as much as they normally do. ( ) Pique (.) ---- from Pedro (.) to Xavi. To Pedro. (.) Xavi to Alves (.) Lionel Messi ( ) Strong ---- tactics from Barcelona. Alves (.) stopped by Marcelo. Messi picks up. (.) Football being played with ---- speed by Barcelona. (.) Pedro. (.) Alves. (.) Clever ball through, (.) Messi's onside. Perfectly timed. (.) Lays it inside (.) Pepe is having a very good game as centre-half for Real Madrid. He read that pass from Messi really wrong. Messi's moved him off the ball. (.) From a standing start, he changes pace, loses anyone who's anywhere near markin' him. (.) And he can find space in the most congested of areas. ( ) Xavi. (.) Controlling his manner. (.) Messi. ( ) Caressing the ball to Iniesta. (.) He has Villa ---- outside ---- PLAYS HIM INSIDE, GREAT TACKLE BUT OHH IT'S FINISHED OFF BY XAVI! (-) NOT THE GREATEST GOAL YOU'RE EVER GONNA SEE BUT A MIGHTILY IMPORTANT GOAL FOR BARCELONA. (.) A HUGE SIZE OF LUCK (.) GIVES BARCELONA THE LEAD! (.) This is a slightly lucky goal Rob, but to see Xavi that far advanced up the pitch (.) And broke the offside trap (.) He's fortunate, he's alert with the finish. (.) But Real Madrid were defending deep, talk of Barcelona keeping it low key this week. (.) You can see the reaction from the players there. (.) And Xavi scored with delight (.) that they can open the scoring, Iniesta (.) slide rule pass, Xavi just in an onside position (.) gets lucky with the first touch, but he's got the awareness, (.) he's got the ability here to beat Casillas with a ---- little flick with his right foot, (.) opens the scoring for Barcelona, Xavi in the centre-forward position. ( ) Well time for change. (.) Interestingly it's Marcelo the left-back who's going off. (.) And gonna be Arbeloa (.) who's coming on. Is that a reflection of Marcelo's performance? It's probably something Marca- Marcelo's done in the last five minutes, well (.) And it looks like it a reaction to the two goals that have just gone in. (-) We're not done. There've been two goals in the last five minutes. ( ) Alonso steps over the ball. (.) Long hopeful shot. (.) ---- it goes wide. ( ) As we mentioned earlier Rob, this is a young (.) Real Madrid team, a lot of the players in their (.) in their early twenties (.) but they do have some catchin' up to do against Barcelona. (-) And it's been a long time since Jose Mourinho mana- manager of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan- it's been success all along the way. It's been a long time since he's been suffering- most managers do from time to time (.) in a game like this. (.) Lionel Messi. (.) Drives inside again. (-) And the referee brings it back for the first off a succession of fouls ---- Argentinian. ( ) Busquets. (.) Xavi. (.) David Villa. Looking for a hattrick in his Clasico debut. (.) The last time (.) that Barcelona managed to score four goals against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou was the ninety- (.) three, ninety-four season and Romario scored a hattrick that night. (-) Villa's got plenty of time to do it, he's got the motivation to go on and do it. (.) The result is not gonna be in doubt but it's a- (.) whether Barcelona really wanna turn on the style (.) go on and score more goals. (-) Busquets. (.) Xavi. (.) The hattrick-hunting David Villa. (.) Abidal. ( ) We have to put into, ontext what a great performance this is from Barcelona, what a great team we're watching. (.) Players at the peak of their play. (.) Real Madrid have had only lost one of their last 36 matches. That was against Barcelona. The last time they were beaten, it was against Barcelona. (.) They had record stats last year, Real Madrid. (.) Record number of points, the best ever away wins, their most ever away goals. (.) But they're still second best to Barcelona. ( ) Mmh Pellegrini was a casualty (.) due to their so close last season. (.) One thing he did well last year Pellegrini (.) I think we have to acknowledge that Barcelona are streaks ahead of Real Madrid at the moment. ( ) Heh. They scored eight against Almeria, they're looking for their fifth as Messi (.) miscontrols allowing Pepe ---- the ball. (.) ---- into the ground. ---- amusement. Yea, I think ---- Pepe ---- pace I think he's had a decent game tonight, pitch I wanna back you. (.) Pepe has made some (.) telling challenges. (.) He's been aggressive, when he's been (.) needed he's been there to be aggressive. (.) To me his teammates, I think, in defence tonight have really struggled (.) against the movement and slick passing of Barcelona. ( ) Messi's coming in for some rough treatment. ( ) Couple ---- tackles ---- tonight. ( ) Free kick taken too quickly as the referee has (.) Arbeloa to remove some jewellery I believe. ( ) Heheh, he's a brave man leaving it on that touchline. Heheh. (.) He's just taken his wedding ring off and left it (.) on the touchline (.) for the referee's assistant to dance over. ( ) Abidal (-) Xavi (.) The "Oles" have started again. This is a bit like watching a bullfight at the moment. Barcelona the matadors, (.) Real Madrid the weary bull. ( ) Busquets tries the shot from the halfway line and Casillas had to go watch that all the way! (.) They're trying to humiliate them. Yep, they would have ---- Casillas he didn't wanna look as if he's trying too hard (.) And at the last second he perhaps thought he better make the (-) save, at least try and might make the effort. (.) But he wouldn't have been too pleased with that from Sergio Busquets. (-) Busquets would've been taking the biscuit. Heheh. ( ) Iniesta (.) ball's off Khedira (laughs), leaves (.) Xabi Alonso on the floor. ---- shuffled to Villa, to Iniesta again (.) Pique. ( ) Incredible football, it is just a master class. ( ) Some might say ---- to ---- four nil up but they did it at 0:0, well that's the reason they got (.) those two goals from the first half, possession play, the second goal was memorable. ( ) Percentages of possession in the first half again in the seventy percent ---- 72 percent at one stage. (.) Means they've only got to defend for 28 % of the game. (.) That's where Real Madrid has struggled tonight, they haven't had the ball. (.) They ---- been out to supply Ronaldo, (.) Benzema- Higuain has been a miss for Real Madrid, it has to be said. (.) I can see more goals coming for Barcelona. ( ) All of the scorers for Barcelona (.) are Spanish players, Xavi (.), Pedro Villa (.) Real Madrid have invested so heavily over the last couple of years, 81 million last summer-, the summer before that about 260 million we're talking Euros. It's pretty much one for one at the moment, (.) Euros and Pounds. (.) Eight of this Barcelona team (.) have come through the club's 'La Masia', the academy system of the club. (-) Born and bred Barcelona players, through their teens (.) They've learned to play football very much the Cruyff-way. (.) Guardiola was a- a disciple of Cruyff. (-) What a legacy it is. ( ) I think it could be argued they're now better than the dream team. I'm just watching the back four of Real Madrid, they're trying to play the offside trap (.), all in different positions on the pitch. (.) Abidal (.) to Xavi (-) Just holds off, waiting for the right pass, the safe pass (.) Abidal (.) To Iniesta, now they quicken the pace (-) Lionel Messi (.) Abidal to Messi (.) To Xavi. ( ) We're lost for words. It's hard not to repeat yourself for the wonder ---- of the football. ( ) It's hard- not to be critical of Real Madrid. (.) Well they're just sparring partners at the moment, aren't [they- [It is and it's a one-touch and two-touch stuff. (.) Movin' off the ball, playin' little triangles between two and three players- you're caught in the middle of a little triangle between Xavi Iniesta and Messi, (.) you got no chance. ( ) Diarra (.) With great pressure Rob Real Madrid that's what forced Real Madrid into giving away possession again. Four nil up Barcelona as soon as they lost it, three or four players, all worked hard to try and put Real Madrid player under pressure, force them to give the ball back to them. ( ) Barcelona has scored seventeen goals in the last four home games! (.) Twelve goals in the last two La Liga-matches. (.) Messi, little back-flick from (.) Dani Alves the number 2 the right- back who's currently playing centre-forward Ye, he's getting' busy now Robert, four nil up he wants to get on the goal sheet. And it certainly wouldn't be unusual for him. (.) Real play a high line, Barca go back to go forwards. ( ) Abidal. (.) And he make it look so simple, control, pass, back-flick, pass (.) Ohohohoh (-) It's frighteningly good. Heheh (.) I defy anybody apart from a Real Madrid supporter not to enjoy watching this Barcelona team play the way they do tonight. ---- enjoyed it because they- they've done the hard work in the err a commanding (.) a winning position ( ) Our words are supposed to compliment the pictures it's impossible (.) to compliment (.) the way Barcelona are playing. ( ) Arbeloa (.) To Benzema Ronaldo again frustrated he doesn't get a pass of the ball. ( )