Contrary to what Barcelona displayed in the Copa del Rey first leg at Santiago Bernabéu, they showed great intensity and determination to take the initiative and enforce their own game over Madrid’s will at Spotify Camp Nou.
Accordingly, the Catalans started the game in an intense, energetic way, and the goal came quickly – though, in the wrong net. Against the run of play, Real opened the score through an unfortunate deflection off Araújo’s head falling unsaveably into ter Stegen’s net.
Obviously, such an early blow certainly hit the Catalans’ confidence, but the flame of grit didn’t burn out, and the continuous pressure finally paid off when Sergi Roberto, the forgotten hero, found the equalizer just before half-time.
The second half was a rocky one for Barcelona, although they didn’t stop to create chances to score and grab the crucial winner, but especially after Ancelotti’s substitutions, Los Blancos felt to be in charge of that sequence of the game. The fresh players brought new dynamism into the Blanco frontline, and they could have even got a leading goal if not for a marginal offside for Asensio.
Thus, with a bit of luck as well, the Blaugrana backline held their ground defensively to keep the score even, and eventually, they found a way to punish the ultra-attacking setup of Real with a perfectly executed counterattack finished off by Kessié to seal a euphoric victory for the Catalans.
Completing such a remarkable remontada against the ‘comeback kings’ themselves, Barcelona gave Real Madrid a taste of their own medicine, turning the match around from a losing position, especially thriving in the late moments of the game. This showed the unity, focus, and determination of the Catalan team, which is greatly welcomed in the club’s arsenal.
