Barcelona – Real Madrid

1. Buenas noches, bienvenido a este commentario en vivo entre Barcelona y Real Madrid - 'el clasico'.

2. Let me immediately apologise for my poor Spanish and explain that was an attempt to say welcome to ESPN's live commentary on Barcelona v Real Madrid, Spain's 'el clasico'. What a game we have in prospect at the Camp Nou.

3. Real Madrid visit the Catalans with a four point lead at the top of La Liga, so the emphasis is on the home side to come out and dominate from the off. And despite the speculation that Ronaldinho would be left on the bench after yet another row with Rijkaard, he starts.

4. Messi is out of course, but Deco and Eto'o begin the game; Madrid start with Raul, Robinho and Van Nistelrooy leading the line.

5. The stadium is packed with 98,000 fans, the atmosphere is absolutely electric and there are blue and red flags fluttering everywhere. Welcome to one of the biggest games world football has to offer: Barcelona Vs Real Madrid. It's live on ESPN, with me Chris Murphy, and kick off is just seconds away....

6. Rijkaard and Schuster shake hands and we're all set.....we're off!

7. 1'

   A chorus of whistles and boos erupt as Real get their first touch...

8. 2'

   It is Madrid who make the first break but Van Nistelrooy elects to shoot from distance when Robinho was well placed. That'll be the nerves Ruud..

9. 3'

   There are already a few tasty challenges flying in - ala an English derby - and thankfully the referee looks like he'll let a few early ones go.

10. 4'

    Poor ball from Baptista as Madrid looked to counter again. They have certainly looked the more assured thus far...

11. 5'

    Great saving tackle from Puyol as Robinho twisted and turned on the box edge. Van Nistelrooy was free if the curly haired stalwart hadn't leapt in to avert the danger.

12. 6'

    Deco charges forward there and Diarra is lucky to escape a booking as he lunges in to bring him down.

13. 7'

    Things have calmed down somewhat now and the teams are beginning to look a tad more comfortable on the ball. An early goal would be nice wouldn't it?

14. 8'

    Ronaldinho has hardly touched the ball in the opening eight minutes - it's been all Madrid.

15. 9'

    First big chance! Great through ball from Raul, Van Nistelrooy was clear (and looked offside) before unleashing a right foot shot that just crept past Valdes' far post. So close.

16. 10'

    Now Cannavaro goes down after a challenge from Xavi and we can all take a breath....

17. 11'

    Schuster is looking very calm, and why not, he is used to this stadium having played for Barca for eight years, in the same side as Maradona no less.

18. 12'

    Rijkaard is very animated on the touchline, in direct contrast to his opposing boss, his system isn't working so far as his central midfielders can't get hold of the ball.

19. 13'

    Free kick for Madrid taken by Sneijder, and Pepe galnces a header into the arms of a thankful Valdes.

20. 14'

    At t'other end Eto'o is released by Iniesta but his lack of match sharpness is evident given the ease with which Cannavaro dispossessed him.

21. 15'

    The home side have found their feet now and Xavi's long ball just can't be collected by Iniesta, then Eto's shot is blocked behind for a corner.

22. 16'

    Sloppy play from both teams, Barca's short corner is wasted then Heinze tries an ambitious cross-field ball as Madrid broke clear.

23. 17'

    Barca have effectively set up with three strikers - Eto'o as the target man and Iniesta and Ronaldinho supporting from either flank. Xavi has been bursting through from midfield already though.

24. 18'

    We have entered he game's first lull after that frantic start, but ominously for Madrid Ronaldinho is seeing much more of the ball now.

25. 19'

    Robinho just strays offside as Ramos fired a ball forward.

26. 20'

    Neat move from Madrid culminating in a charge forward from Ramos before Abidal bodychecked him out of the way. Unbelievably the referee doesn't award a free-kick!

27. 21'

    Heinze nearly talks himself into a booking by vehemently protesting at the lack of a free-kick for the early 'bodycheck' incident. The ref has kept his cards close to his chest pocket so far though.

28. 22'

    What this game needs is a goal. That's the devastating insight you get from ESPN.....

29. 23'

    The injured Thierry Henry looks a bit cheesed off at having to watch the game from the bench. I bet he's cursing his poorly back.

30. 24'

    Ronaldinho doesn't look as confident as he usually does - he's had plenty of opportunity to run Sergio Ramos but he's chosen not to so far.

31. 25'

    This last ten minutes has been scrappy and poor. Come on chaps, onwards and upwards.

32. 26'

    It's all a bit stop start at present. Referee Mejuto Gonzalez may not be booking anyone but he's still blowing for petty fouls left, right and centre.

33. 27'

    Just as I say that Puyol is booked for chopping down Robinho in full flight! Yaya Toure is lucky to escape too as he blasted the ball at Robinho after the free-kick had been awarded.

34. 28'

    Sneijder takes the free-kick, Valdes comes but doesn't get anything on it and the ball flicks behind for a goal kick. Dodgy dodgy from the Barca stopper.

35. 29'

    Great work from Iker Casillas! He rushed out to meet Eto's as Xavi put him through and timed it perfectly, then he managed to smuggle the ball out for a corner as Iniesta tried to pounce.

36. 30'

    From the corner Eto'o misses a free header, then Ronaldinho beats Ramos for the first time in the game but just can't find a team mate with his cross.

37. 31'

    The game has come alive all of a sudden!

38. 32'

    Barca are now playing like a team who needs all three points and it has been a while since Madrid have bared their attacking teeth.

39. 33'

    Pepe hasn't had the greatest of starts so far and he was careless in possession again then, the Barca move culminates in a strike from Xavi which Casillas holds firmly.

40. 34'

    Great break from Iniesta! He beats Cannavaro and squares the ball for Eto'o, but he misses his kick before the ball falls to Ronaldinho and Casillas parries away his effort. Great move!

41. 35'

    Ramos was fouled in the area at the end of that move and he looks in a bit of trouble on the sidelines.

42. 36'

    Golasso!! Julio Baptista bursts into the area after a Van Nistelrooy flick and smashes a half-volley into the top corner. The Camp Nou is stunned. Barca 0-1 Madrid.

43. 37'

    You could hear a pin drop in stadium now! Madrid apparently have 500 fans in the 98,000 sell out crowd but you can't even hear them!

44. 38'

    Madrid will be happy to sit and soak it up now. They have their goal and it is Barcelona who are now under tremendous pressure.

45. 39'

    An instant riposte before half-time must be the aim for the home side now.

46. 39'

    Stat attack! Madrid haven't lost this season if they have been leading at half time!

47. 40'

    Ooh, Abidal nearly commits suicide with a risky ball across his own area! Van Nistelrooy was inches away from pinching that!

48. 41'

    Every stray pass is being met with a huge sigh from the home crowd now. Deco and Ronaldinho don't look like their normal lively selves that's for sure.

49. 42'

    Ronaldinho hurls himself to the floor - in desperation more than anything - as he edged into the area. There was no contact at all and the Brazilian is fortunate not to booked for that.

50. 43'

    Perhaps that is a sign of how off colour Ronaldinho is this season, throwing himself to ground at the first hint of tackle. Poor.

51. 44'

    This time Ronny takes on Ramos and crosses. Heinze heads behind for a corner.

52. 45'

    Casillas claims superbly from the corner then releases Robinho who charges upfield and eventually slams in a shot from 20 yards that Valdes grabs at the second attempt.

53. 45'

    Two minutes of time to be added.

54. 45'

    Now its Van Nistelrooy's turn to collapse in a heap in a shameful attempt to con the ref into giving a free-kick. He's getting nada off Gonzalez though.

55. 45'

    Right on half-time Ramos is booked after tugging back Xavi. Hardly a delightfully skilful opening period but still captivating. Back here in 15 then.

56. 46'

    We're off again. As it stands Real would open up a seven point gap at the top of the league. Barca have 45 minutes to prevent that and enjoy a Happy Christmas.

57. 47'

    No changes to report at the break.

58. 48'

    Good early work from Abidal who whips in a low cross looking for Eto'o. Ramos clears well though.

59. 49'

    Decent turn from Xavi but his ball for Eto'o is hopelessly weak. Barca will need better than that if they are to pull things level here.

60. 50'

    Robinho displays about five step-overs in a row before a back heel looking for Heinze. The flick is over hit though and Barca have a goal kick.

61. 51'

    All is not well at the Camp Nou. They look disjointed, the crowd is getting restless and there is very little spark at present. Surely it won't be long before Henry or Bojan are called upon.

62. 51'

    Eto'o tries to shake Barca out of their malaise with a neat volley but the ball was always heading wide.

63. 52'

    That has lifted the home crowd a little.

64. 53'

    Yaya Toure drives right at the heart of Madrid's defence and as the ball breaks Iniesta fires in a left footed drive but it is well collected by Casillas.

65. 54'

    A Jekyll and Hyde moment for Iniesta who wrong foots Pepe with a lovely dummy then misjudges his pass to the onrushing Puyol.

66. 55'

    Then at the other end Baptista heads into the area, squares for Robinho whose touch is heavy, he still manages to round Valdes though before crumbling theatrically when Puyol comes to tackle.

67. 56'

    Now Ramos has a run down field and shoots low. Valdes claims easily though.

68. 57'

    Giovanni is coming on for Barca to replace Deco. The home side also have a free-kick about 45 yards from goal.

69. 58'

    Ronaldinho curls in a decent ball and Pepe heads behind.

70. 59'

    From the corner Toure meets it and the ball just flashes over Madrid's crossbar.

71. 60'

    Calamity at the back for Barca! Puyol's clearance goes straight to Sneijder who fires in a left-footed shot, which Raul can't turn in.

72. 61'

    Another super break from Madrid, who should be two up by now. Baptista dribbles 40 yards upfield, slides in Van Nistelrooy who looks for Raul in the middle but just over cooks the cross.

73. 62'

    I sense another goal in this game and, as a neutral, I hope Barca get it. Sorry Madrid fans.

74. 63'

    Giovanni has his first run but gifts possession to Ramos with his weak centre.

75. 64'

    Puyol is outfoxed by another Robinho step-over but the Brazilian then cuts back inside and the momentum is lost. Real have a free-kick though after Abidal fouls Ramos.

76. 65'

    Good ball from Sneijder but a foul is given on Milito.

77. 66'

    Rival captain's Raul and Puyol share a full-blooded challenge and the latter is still down after getting a set of studs right in his knee.

78. 67'

    Henry is limbering up. We'll be seeing him soon no doubt.

79. 68'

    Giovanni has filled in at right back while Puyol is off the field getting treatment.

80. 69'

    Milito is booked after Baptista just toe-poked the ball in front of him and got clattered for his efforts. At the other end Cannavaro is down after a nasty - and late - tackle from Ronaldinho.

81. 70'

    Sneijder strikes the free-kick, which was dipping, but not enough to trouble Valdes.

82. 71'

    Twenty minutes left for Barca to salvage something. It looks pretty unlikely just now in truth..

83. 72'

    Good work from Marquez releases Giovanni, he finds onaldinho but his shot is high and wide.

84. 73'

    A miserable Christmas is looming for Frank Rijkaard unless his side can conjure something here. He may just find a P45 slipped inside his Xmas card from the President at this rate.

85. 74'

    A quick free-kick finds Giovanni and he strikes a shot which is deflected behind for a corner.

86. 75'

    Barca are committing so many men forward Real are breaking at will - they four v two then but Sneijder overran the ball! Disaster!

87. 76'

    Schuster is winning the tactical battle hands down at present. Barca look short up top and light at the back.

88. 77'

    Zambrotta is coming on for Carlos Puyol.

89. 78'

    The skipper's armband goes to Ronaldinho. Can that inspire him to find a goal?

90. 79'

    Barcelona are being crowded out in the final third now, Madrid are happy to play solely on the break. Iniesta tries to curl one from distance but Casillas is equal to it.

91. 80'

    Substitution for Madrid. Fernando Gago is on for Wesley Sneijder.

92. 81'

    Lovely turn from Iniesta who somewhat spoils his break by diving to the turf as soon as he could smell the white line of the penalty area.

93. 82'

    Ronaldinho is out of sorts and no mistake. He was one-on-one there with Ramos and made a complete hash of it. His mind looks elsewhere.

94. 83'

    Bojan Krkic is on for Xavi as Rijkaard plays his last hand.

95. 84'

    Bojan injects some much needed urgency into Barcelona with a duck inside and a stinging shot which Casillas turns behind for a corner.

96. 85'

    From the corner the ball breaks for Yaya Toure inside the box but his shot on the turn creeps just wide.

97. 85'

    Arjen Robben is on for Robinho, who has been excellent, save for the shameless diving.

98. 86'

    Five minutes left for Barcelona, and maybe five minutes left for Frank Rijkaard to save his job. What price Jose Mourinho being the new manager early in 2008?!

99. 87'

    Eto'o edges past Ramos this time and his cross is cleared by Pepe. Now Iniesta wins a free-kick on the left wing.

100. 88'

     Miguel Torres is on for Sergio Ramos.

101. 89'

     Great ball in from Ronaldinho which Pepe gets a head to, then Toure's goal bound volley flicks behind off Cannavaro. Close but no cigar!

102. 90'

     That's the 90 up - four minutes have been added.

103. 91'

     Barca's fans are filing out of their famous stadium. The game is all but up and it is going to be a long New Year break for Rijkaard and his players.

104. 92'

     Great tackle by Pepe! Milito bounded forward and played it to Inesta inside the area but before he could get his cross off Pepe was there to intercept.

105. 93'

     At the other end a Raul shot flicked up off Yaya Toure and Valdes had to back-peddle swiftly to stop it looping in for number two.

106. 94'

     And that is it! The referee blows up a full minute early and Real have stolen the points! They now lead by seven at the top of La Liga. What a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in prospect for them. Frank Rikjaard will spend his winter break ruminating as to how long he has left to save his job - if he gets any at all!

107. 94'

     Muchas gracias for your company. Best wishes for Christmas and New Year to all our visitors, from everyone here at soccernet. Hasta luego!

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