Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said his side almost overwhelmed Barcelona as a 2-0 El Clasico win saw them climb to the top of LaLiga.
The first 45 minutes were a defensive slog with the goalkeepers on both ends of the pitch coming up with a handful of stellar saves.
However Madrid started piling on the pressure midway through the second before Vinicius finally broke the deadline for the hosts in the 71st minute. Substitute Mariano extended the lead in injury time to lock up Madrid’s first El Clasico victory since 2016.
Barcelona boss Quique Setien told the club’s website he was disappointed in his team’s effort in the second period.
“We were clear about what we had to do – we had to wait for our moment, we had to be patient, try and keep the ball,” he said.
“When (Madrid) come out to pressure you they leave space. We took advantage of that really well in the first half.
Via Lancashire Telegraph
epaselect epa08263404 FC Barcelona’s Leo Messi reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, traditionally known as ‘El Clasico’, at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 01 March 2020. EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN
Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz (C) celebrates after scoring against FC Barcelona during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN
epa08263403 Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. (L) celebrates after scoring against FC Barcelona during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, traditionally known as ‘El Clasico’, at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 01 March 2020. EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN
epa08263405 Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz (c) scores against FC Barcelona during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, traditionally known as ‘El Clasico’, at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 01 March 2020. EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN
epa08263401 Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, traditionally known as ‘El Clasico’, at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 01 March 2020. EPA-EFE/RODRIGO JIMENEZ
