Barcelona stun Real Madrid to hold Coppa del Rey semifinals first leg advantage
Barcelona went all the way to the Spanish capital to beat Real Madrid to send second leg of the Coppa del Rey semifinals at their disposal at Camp Nou a month later.
Barcelona now hold the advantage as Xavi’s men probe for a double this season. They lead the Spanish Laliga table with 59 points 7 more above tonight’s opponents who are second placed and Barca on the run for this season’s Coppa del Rey after beating Carlo Ancelotti’s side at their own back yard.
Most prior predictions put Barca at unsafe and below position against the backdrop of their elimination from the Europa League by Manchester United and losing to 15th place UD Almeria in the Laliga.
Madrid’s sensational thrashing of Liverpool at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League was one key point that pointed to a Madrid victory over Barca despite drawing 1-1 to city rivals Atletico Madrid over the weekend.
Franck Kessie’s strike and the only short on target for either sides sided with Eder Militao to give Barcelona the victory at Santiago Bernabeu.
It’s not fully over yet for Real Madrid knowing much well of their form at Camp Nou in recent years. At least they have the tie to overturn matters on April 5th to see the prospect of facing either Osasuna or Athletic Club in the final.
Osasuna won the first leg 1-0 at home Wednesday.
