Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Super Copa 1st Leg.

Spanish supercopa proved to be the perfect curtain raiser of the new season. Both Madrid and Barcelona played high quality attacking football. Barcelona, for once, were dominated and outpaced but still didn’t lose.

Starting with a positive intent, Madrid controlled possession and took the lead in 13th minute through Mesut Ozil. They looked like scoring every time they moved forward. Barcelona’s center backs Abidal and Javier Mascherano looked increasingly susceptible. But then out of the blue David Villa, largely invisible till then, produced a magnificent strike to beat Casillas. With both teams level Barcelona looked more like the team we know but still Madrid were able to create chances for themselves . Benzema being the culprit of wasting those chances. On the stroke of halftime Messi, taking advantage of a Pepe slip, put the Catalans ahead. Despite dominating for major portions of the play Madrid were now behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL7TvUOqTjY&feature=player_detailpage

After the halftime Mourinho’s men responded with greater ferocity. This resulted in an equalizer in the 53rd minute when Xabi Alonso converted a Ozil corner. Guardiola introduced Xavi and Gerard Pique but this didn’t change the scenario much as Madrid continued to control possession. Till the final whistle Madrid created a host of scoring opportunities but they didn’t seem to be in the mood to score. Barca’s only substantial attempt at goal was through a Messi free kick, which sailed over the bar.

The match had its faisr share of controversial moments with Valdes bringing down Ronaldo and Abidal having a handball inside the penalty box ignored. Marcelo’s sliding tackle on Pedro also seemed to be a little suspect but refree didn’t share my views and the play continued in all the cases.

Thus ended the match which Madrid should have won but didn’t. Barca showed they had the steel of the champions and were willing to grind it out and did.Barcelona hold the away goal advantage, as of now, but have greater problems in defence in the absence of Carlos Puyol. Mourinho should be happy with his team’s performance but not the result. Just a little more accurate finishing and Madrid would have crushed their rivals.

A piece of advice for those planning to put a bet on Wednesday’s second leg match “Don’t Place a Bet”.