Review Real Madrid V FC Barcelona Sunday, March 23, 9:00 PM Santiago Bernabéu

    Brilliant Messi leads Barcelona to an unexpected victory

What a game!! As it is the rule, when two sides with a shaky defense and strong attackers meet, the game is going to be spectacular. And this game was not an exception.

Barcelona was the underdog in this away game. Madrid had a long unbeaten streak, in contrast to the catalans squad, which lost several games against much weaker opposition.

Barcelona came out blasting in an attempt to surprise madrid and this strategy was successful. Messi retreated to the midfield early on and caused havoc in the defensive midfield of Madrid. Xabi Alonso was just not able to contain him at all. After 6 minutes Messi received the ball 30 meters from the goal. He had space, the defenders or midfielders did not charge him immediately, he passed brilliantly to Iniesta, who finished spectacularly.  

Madrid was shocked. Messi and Neymar each had a very good chance to increase the lead, chances which they squandered. After 20 minutes, the tides were turning. Real found back into the game and di Maria started outplaying a very weak Dani Alves on the right side. He was able to provide 4 great crosses to benzema which created 4 brilliant chances. Benzema converted 2 of them and Real was suddenly leading.

And then came Messi. In what can only be described as a genius goal. He just bulldozered into the penalty box. gave the ball to Neymar, the ball somehow bounced back to him. he pulled into 2 defenders and shoved the ball in between them. 

The second half saw 3 Penaltys, one awarded to Madrid after Ronaldo was fouled by Alves outside the box.

The next penalty occured after a spectacular pass from Messi to Neymar. Neymar was running free towards the goal and was slightly touched by Ramos from behind. Penalty was given, Ramos was sent off and Messi converted. The next penalty was awarded after Xabi Alonso fouled iniesta and Messi converted again.

Barcelona won the game. Messi got a 10 from Whoscored.com and broke several records.

Ronaldo had a very bad day and did not play well at all.

It was Messi's 2nd Hat trick against real Madrid. The first hat trick from any Barcelona player in Bernabeu. 

                    Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo 2014

	Games	Goals	Assists	Man of the Match awards
Lionel Messi	18	20	9	12
Cristiano Ronaldo	17	15	5	7

FC barcelona v Almeira 2.03.2014

Barcelona crushes weak Almeira side

Barcelona demolished Almeira easily yesterday. Sanchez opened the score sheet for his 16th goal of the season after a nice shot by Fabregas was deflected by the goal keeper. He only had to poach it in and he was able to do that. After that, Lionel Messi scored a brilliant Free kick goal.

Almeira came back after a corner. As always, barcelona has a very huge weakness in standards. They receive a lot of goals after corners or free kicks.

The deal was sealed in the second half when messi hit the woodwork after a corner with a header and Puyol poached the ball into the goal. The fourth goal came from a ncie shot by xavi just outside of the penalty box.

All in all an easy victory for Barcelona.