Real Madrid – Barcelona

Join us for live commentary at 1945 BST from the third Clasico game, and the first in the Champions League semi-final, as Barcelona travel to Real Madrid.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0424/guardiolaandmourinho_275x155.jpg"><br>Tensions have been raised between Guardiola and Mourinho.

Barcelona are backing their boss after he <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/912435/barca-chief-backs-pep-guardiola-after-jose-mourinho-attack?cc=5739" target="_blank">slammed Jose Mourinho in a pre-match presser</a>. Fireworks expected.

Some early team news for you. Barca play with Busquets at CB and Puyol filing in at left-back. Mascherano starts, Iniesta is not fit enough to. Pedro joins Messi and Villa up front.

Real have dropped Khedira for Diarra and start with Pepe and Alonso also in midfield. Ozil, Ronaldo and Di Maria up front.

Those teams in full. Barcelona lineup: Víctor Valdés; Daniel Alves, Mascherano, Piqué, Puyol; Busquets, Xavi, Keita; Pedro, Messi, David Villa.

Real Madrid lineup: Casillas; Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo; Pepe, Diarra, Xabi Alonso; Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo, Di María.

The two benches make interesting reading. Kaka, Higuain, Adebayor and Benzema; or Fontas, Afellay, Thiago and Milito?

Some background on the Pep v Jose squabble - as Pep <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/912312/pep-guardiola-launches-foul-mouthed-jose-mourinho-rant?cc=5739" target="_blank">hammered his rival</a> in a pre-match presser.

Jose, meanwhile, has been channelling Einstein <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/912139/jose-mourinho-channels-einstein-to-prepare-real-madrid?cc=5739" target="_blank">in a bid to get his side on track.</a>

Our very own Dale Johnson has a preview of the big game <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/315488?cc=5739" target="_blank">for you to read</a>

And don't forget we have a Twitter page to follow as well if you haven't already. @ESPNsoccernet

Chris Murphy has all <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/912512/matchday-live---april-27---champions-league-semi-final?cc=5739" target="_blank">the chat and updates</a> as well. He says ''Mourinho knows what happens if he opens the game up (5-0) so his policy will be to try and break up play, squeeze Barca's flair players and attack sensibly at the right times.''

Others in the office have been putting their hard earned cash on a 0-0... let's hope it's not like that.

Barcelona have the most number of goals from set-pieces in the UCL this season (6) but have only won 3 of their away games in the competition.

Real Madrid have opened the scoring in all of their 10 Champions League games this season.

Remember, the two have played twice already in the past week or so. Game of two pens in the league and it was 1-1, Real won the Copa del Rey late on with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Ronaldo.

Yes, it's only a first leg, but there's a great chance for one to put one in the final as Manchester Unietd did last night against Schalke.

Will be interesting to see whether it is Busquets or Mascherano lining up at centre-back. A little bit of chat suggesting it might be the former Liverpool man.

Oh, and in case you didn't think he was special enough: Jose Mourinho is the first manager to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League with four different clubs.

Courtesy of @ESPNPressPass: Total #UCL games played: #RealMadrid's XI - 470; #Barcelona's XI - 559. Nobody in either line-up has played fewer than 19 #UCL games.

Lots of attention tonight on ref Wolfgang Stark. He's one of the world's best and was at the 2010 World Cup. Pressure will be on though.

Just enough time, as the players walk out, to watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGUtpF2n5aM" target="_blank">this</a>. A stunning animation of the 5-0 win by Barca earlier this season.

Atmosphere is hotting up. Exciting time to be a football fan and, if you're at the Bernabeu, you might not be able to hear for a few days. It is loud!

<b>KICK-OFF</b>. Madrid get us underway...

Mascherano is playing centre-back and already getting himself into a little trouble when trying to clear.

Villa kicks the ball away after running it out of play and is widely booed.

Messi gets his first touch and is away before the foot of Marcelo comes in and knocks it away.

A few early fouls, all on Madrid players thus far. But nothing too tasty.

Mourinho spotted jotting down some notes. What on earth can he have planned already??

Xavi has a go on the volley from 35 yards. It's very well hit, but Casillas is behind it and catches easily.

Ronaldo now has a sighter, he takes it inside and releases a shot, but it bobbles into the hands of Valdes.

Barcelona surround the ref already. Puyol is in Stark's face after Ramos goes down.

Barcelona looking to control the ball as only they can. It's all in their own half at the moment though.

Pedro chases down Casillas, and the keeper slices his kick. But it's safe.

Keita goes in hard on Ramos, and he's down and whingeing early. It was a foul, and the ref is handling things well at the moment.

Pedro looking bright, but he's being well marshalled by Ramos. Barcelona looking to build and most of their work is coming down their left.

Neither side has really managed to take a strangehold as yet. Real are sitting deep and inviting Barca pressure, but looking for the counter.

Barca can pass it all they like in their own half, but they won't score like that.

Real are pushing up now and Ronaldo nicks the ball away, but is stopped by a great tackle from Busquets.

Wow, that was close. Villa has a go and he curls it past the post after cutting inside past Marcelo and Pepe.

Best chance of the game so far. Casillas was diving at full strength and I don't think he was getting there.

Messi is off colour so far. He's been knocked off the ball a few times and Diarra is coming back well.

Real are looking a little frustrated. Barca doing a good job of keeping the ball and Diarra goes in hard on Xavi. No bookings yet though.

Messi and Xavi brilliant interplay. The ball finds Pedro on the left and his low centre is cut out. Just not enough pace on the ball.

Real fans are whistling. Probably getting a little bored of seeing their side chasing shadows.

Messi pops up on the left now, but that is why Pepe is in the side! He is very strong and just tracks his man and knocks him off the ball.

A rare missed pass from Busquets. Looking for Pedro, he just smacks it out of play.

Ronaldo going crazy!!! He was chasing the CBs and his tea-mates weren't helping... now he has a pout and stands with his hands on his hips not moving.

Ronaldo so angry there at the lack of pressing,. Real are sitting back, Barcelona are keeping the ball.

Ronaldo now tries to get on the ball by a combination of Mascherano and Keita get back and cut him out.

Dear me, Barcelona are back into their passing across defence. Could be a record number of touches for Pique tonight.

Now Valdes is made to work, Di Maria chases him down and he almost cut out the clearance.

Xavi is being made to hurry in the centre. Diarra just getting in his face and stopping his rhythm.

Xavi is being made to hurry in the centre. Diarra just getting in his face and stopping his rhythm.

Marcelo urges his men on and Di Maria forces Mascherano to get down and block. Small bursts of energy all round, but nothing doing.

No space for Barcelona to play at all. XI Madrid players all back in their own half.

Yet more touches from Pique et al...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0427/javiermascherano,cristianoronaldo20110427_275x155.jpg"><br>Javier Mascherano tracks Cristiano Ronaldo, who has lost sight of the ball

Marcelo bundles Villa over and he's having trouble with the Spanish striker on the wing.

First real chance. Xavi hits a shot after a great ball from Messi. He hits it low and Casillas beats it away.

Xavi just beat the offside trap in an odd position for him. Messi pushing the defence with his vision.

Ronaldo trying to work some magic, but Arbeloa is caught offside and he shows his frustration.

Messi coming into the game more, but his pass it cut out and Diarra tries to find Ozil with a long through ball. Pique does well to cover.

Ozil now with space, but Mascherano comes right in there and uses his strength. Ozil is upset and Masch offers him some advice about staying on his feet.

Ronaldo really should be using his pace against the likes of Puyol at the back, but he's being pushed deep and isn't having much of an impact at the moment.

First dive from Dani Alves as Pepe comes across and he wins a free-kick. Still no yellow cards and that's a bit of a shock given their history.

Messi tries to slid Pedro in, but Albiol is there. Barcelona trying to play a little more advanced now, but they are still being hounded everytime they enter the Real half.

Xavi wastes the patient build up by taking a long shot. It flies well over.

Pepe finds himself in an advanced position, but can't get the better of Pique.

Miscommunication between Keita and Pedro. The winger has gone missing a little of late. But on the other side, it is Messi who slips it to Villa and almost finds a gap.

Real really offering very little up front. Ronaldo is cutting a frustrated figure.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0427/pepguardiola,josemourinhohandshake20110427_275x155.jpg"><br>Jose and Pep meet before the game.

Pepe has a header, but Valdes didn't have to worry about that one too much.

Alves robbed by Marcelo and now he has a strop. Been waiting for that. Looked like Villa bringing him down, but the reaction is so dramatic.

Alonso fails to find anyone with the free-kick. Di Maria tries a dribble on the way back, and on the break Villa has a go on his own. Both come to nothing.

Di Maria felled now by Alves and the tempers are starting to flare.

Alves accuses him of diving, which he very possibly did. But both teams are surrounding the ref and he's having to control the situation.

Ronaldo with a horrible free-kick into the wall.

Here we go... off the ball Pedro is down and holding his face. The Barca players are going mad.

Mourinho smiling on the touchline. What is the ref going to do here?

Replays show Pedro running into Arbeloa. He probably blocked his run, but that was it. No face contact whatsoever.

Ramos and Pique were clashing, while Mascherano and Puyol crowded the ref.. in the melee.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Arbeloa is booked for that.

The fire has been stoked, and could be a fiesty few minutes before the half.

Barcelona looking to calm things down again as they resort to their passing in their own half again.

Messi and Villa looking most dangerous on the edge of the box. Villa robs Marcelo and wins a corner.

Xavi, to Messi, pops it forward to Villa, who tries to set it back for him, but the ball is cut out before he reaches it. Great one-touch stuff.

Puyol with an excellent back header somehow performed without actually looking at the ball.

First Marcelo, now Di Maria think they should have a free-kick. Eventually there is one.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Dani Alves in the book and there's another fight in the middle of the park involving Busquets now.

<i>Rio Ferdinand on Twitter: </i>"This diving is a joke/embarrassing. When Pedro watches that do u think he'll think what was I doing!? Rugby players must laugh at football!"

In the midst of all that, it's a free kick. Two mins of added time.

Oh look, Ronaldo has hammered it into the wall again. Very poor.

Oh, but now there's a chance. Ronaldo hits it cleanly and Valdes blocks with his chest. Ozil following up can't beat Valdes' legs and Di Maria hits another rebound over the bar.

<B>HALF-TIME! REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA.</B> Tempers fraying a little, and in truth it has been a poor half. Barca playing keepball and Real not attacking much. A few good chances, but more is expected.

@JanuszESPN says ''Busquets, just play football. Both teams have to stop moaning and trying to force a yellow card.''

Something going on in the tunnel and well apparently. This is starting to overshadow what should be a good game of football.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0427/cristianoronaldo,josemourinhoorders20110427_275x155.jpg"><br>Jose tries to get his point across.

Remember, you can have <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/912512/matchday-live---april-27---champions-league-semi-final?cc=5739" target="_blank">your say on the game</a> with Chris Murphy.

Some replays of the half-time problems. Sergio Ramos clashing with someone there, lots of pushing, shoving and the backroom staff getting involved. There are two tunnels here, so not sure how they are managing to fight.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> Pinto, the sub goalkeeper, has been handed his marching orders for the melee in the tunnel. Barca could be in real trouble if Valdes gets injured now.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> There was also a yellow card for Pique, but that may have come before the whistle blew. Phew, let's hope this all stops, or they will have to come up with a new name. Clasico is not covering it.

Will bring you more on the Battle at the Bernabeu as we hear it...

Pinto looks like he was waiting for the Real players as soon as they came off. So probably deserved it.

Pep Guardiola emerges with his head held low. Quite right too. Now let's have some decent football.

Barca on the pitch, and Real making them wait.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ozil comes off, Adebayor on.

Little stat before we start: Passes: Real 124- Barca 398, % successful 77%-91%,

<B>KICK-OFF</B>. Barcelona get us underway again... More interesting stuff happened in 15 mins of half-time than in the first 45.

Adebayor rises immediately and shows his physical presence.

Pedro breaks down the right and swings it in to Messi who takes it down and smashes a shot into Ramos.

Xavi being closed down by Diarra and Alonso. And Real are pushing much quicker to close Barca down this half.

Alonso, who has a habit of scoring from his own half, decides to have a go. But it's over by quite a way.

Messi with some space and chips a ball in towards Keita, but the ball floats over his head.

Adebayor already providing Real with more of a focus on up front. Ronaldo is freed up a little and looks less frustrated with someone else made to do the chasing.

Barca settle into the possession play and the Real whistles come again.

Ball is chipped over and Ronaldo gets there ahead of Valdes. He's pushed wide and tries to get his shot away, but Puyol is there to make the block.

Pepe hammers into Alves, who falls to the floor and takes the foul. Easy one that.

Valdes taking his time over the free-kick. Surely not time wasting already???

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0427/barcelonaplayershoundref20110427_275x155.jpg"><br>Barcelona players, led by Javier Mascherano, hound referee Wolfgang Stark.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ramos booked now for taking out Messi.

He misses the next match now, which could be important.

First time Messi has really been allowed to turn and run at the defence. Cynical stuff from Ramos, but it stopped a good break from Barca.

Poor clearance from Valdes falls to Alonso, Pepe then wastes the ball forward - not his natural role.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0427/ikercasillasdivedavidvillashot20110427_275x155.jpg"><br>Iker Casillas is forced to dive to guide David Villa's shot wide of the upright.

Barcelona soaking up the play again and Messi is getting on the ball more now. Real still doubling up on him and making sure there is no space though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Mascherano goes into the book for bringing down Pepe. The Real man rolls around like it's going out of fashion.

<i>Comment from Dale Johnson</i>: ''It's like it's the mid-90s again! When diving was at its peak.''

Adebayor hassles Mascherano and Valdes is under pressure as the bouncing ball is hit back to him. The ball is hammered out of play and Mascherano has to release the ball quicker.

Long ball almost finds Ronaldo, but it's hit too far for him.

Barca have the ball on the egde of the box. Pedro cuts inside and Marcelo sticks out a foot, on the ball, as the Barca man goes over. Top tackle.

Thankfully, Pedro did not have temerity to ask for a pen.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> Pepe now off for a foul on Alves. How many Barca players were around him there.

Oh dear, the ref has lost the plot. The Barca players worked their magic there. Pepe was right to go for the ball. His foot was raised, but it was no more than a yellow.

The 5th consecutive time Mourinho has had to play with 10 men against Barcelona.

Alves is leaving the pitch on a stretcher. But he's probably be back on.

Mourinho mouthes ''Well done, well done'' to the 4th official and applauds him. The Real boss is forced into the stands now.

Real's fans are going crazy... and oh look, Alves is ready to come back on.

The noise is deafening.. and the football can start again.

Keita goes up for a challenge with Ramos, but the Barca man has fouled him.

Now Puyol goes in hard and Real are baying for blood. It was on Ronaldo, but there was nothing really in it.

The ref has a very tough job on his hands, every challenge is subject to a huge cheer or whistle from the fans and both set of players are on edge.

Free-kick finds Ronaldo's head, but he knocks it over the bar.

Adebayor is still playing up front on his own, but the midfield for Real will have to work very hard.

The possession procession starts in earnest again. But can Barca find a gap? Xavi chips the ball in to Alves, who is caught offside.

Mourinho sitting just outside the dugout. Writes his notes, then passes them on to his bench.

Xavi turns and feeds Villa. He cuts inside and has a shot, parried by Casillas and Pedro is almost there. His header can't find the net and now he's down in a heap after getting a bang on the leg.

That was a great chance, but the rebound just fell behind Pedro's reach.

Pedro can't get past Marcelo and it wouldn't surprise me if he was subbed soon.

Great passing again from Barca. Villa and Xavi are dictating the play, but lacking a final ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Pedro off, Afellay on.

Villa chips and chases, but three Real players are back and Diarra brings him down.

Villa has been excellent down the wing, but seems a little wasted out there. Messi is dropping deep and not dictacting the play like we know he can.

Arbeloa's short throw misses Adebayor, as they miscommunicate.

Pique brings down Ronaldo about 30 yards out.. this is a chance for Ronaldo to shoot.

Ronaldo hammers it, and it flies well over the bar. He's not been on form from set-pieces tonight.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Messi is there. A close range effort and it was Afellay with the assist.

Great run from Afellay down the right and works an angle. Messi gets in front of Ramos and stabs it home for his 51st goal of the season.

Now ten-man Real are up against it.

Now it's Barcelona who are sitting back and inviting the pressure. They have the vital away goal now.

Adebayor showing some frustration up the Real end, it will be lonely rest of the game for him unless Mourinho brings on some support.

A masterclass of possession football from Barcelona now. The pressure to score is off them.

Great stuff from Puyol, who is tracking back to cover a bouncing ball that outfoxes Pique. Di Maria would have been in otherwise.

Messi charges into Albiol and the Spaniard goes flying. No yellow though.

Afellay makes room and charges down the right. He's made a real difference. Xavi and Messi try to combine, but can't make it work.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Adebayor charging around like a man possessed. Busquets invites it, but Ade just smashes him in the face with his hands.

Very, very lucky to stay on the pitch after that. You could see the blood boiling.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0427/josepintohalf-timefight20110427_275x155.jpg"><br>Jose Pinto (purple) tries to pick a fight with the Real Madrid team at half-time, leading to his dismissal from the bench.

Barcelona obviously invite challenges with the kind of possession game they play, but that was over the line by quite some way. Mourinho just smiles...

Villa wastes a ball forward, but Barca should really be going down the other side. Afellay has been superb since he came on.

Real are tired now, you can see it in the legs.

Barca are relishing the space and freedom to play with the ball. Another goal would kill off the game for sure.

Real are dropping off in midfield. Diarra and Alonso too tired to chase down Xavi et al.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Messi again. What a wonderful goal. He bursts through the defence and slots it past Casillas.

Madrid's fans are silent. 11 goals in 11 UCL games for Messi and he just cut the Real defence apart. Albiol tried to foul him, but like Maradona against England in 1986, he kept going and slotted it home.

Thankfully a moment of magic gives us something to talk about instead of the horror show of the tackles and the play acting.

The game petering out. There is a lack of fight in Real now and Jose can do nothing about it from where he is sat.

Ronaldo has a chance to break, but knocks it out of play...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Villa off, and a kid, Sergi Roberto comes on.

Three mins of added time remaining.

Sergi gets a touch, but is muscled out of it by Ramos.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0427/lionelmessicelebvreal1st20110427_275x155.jpg"><br>Messi celebrates his first goal.

Barcelona just eating the minutes up with their passing game. Real look shot and it would take a miracle for them to overcome their rivals by three goals at the Nou Camp.

<B>FULL-TIME! REAL MADRID 0-2 BARCELONA</B>. It was a horrible first half, an ugly match. But then Lionel Messi turned things around after the introduction of Afellay and the sending off of Pepe.

Referee Stark also sent off Jose Mourinho and Barca sub goalkeeper Pinto (at half-time). And Alonso is now telling him exactly what he thinks of him.

In truth, Messi was the only good thing about this game. Playacting and constant chasing of the ref made it tough to watch at times, but Afellay's break opened things up.

And Messi's second was sublime. Reminded me a little of Maradona against England in 1986, but really only because of Albiol's attempts to bring him down like Terry Fenwick.

Thankfully, the world's greatest player gave us something else to talk about. Mourinho, I'm sure, will want to talk about the sending off.

It looks, though, as if Barca have set up a rematch of 2009 with Manchester United in the final. The second leg will be a real test of Mourinho's managerial skills as he will have to attack, but anything is possible.