Barca show defensive strength to upset Real again

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FC Barcelona beat Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu for the second time in four days to end any chance their traditional rivals have of winning this season's title race.

After knocking them out of the Copa del Rey 3-0 on Wednesday, Barca secured a 1-0 victory with midfielder Ivan Rakitic's decisive goal in a cagey ‘Clasico', sending the La Liga leaders 12 points clear of Real.

Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (C) scores a goal during the game at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, March 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

“Every time Madrid attacked us, Pique or Lenglet cleared the danger, I had very little work to do because of them,” said Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Match winner Rakitic added: “We worked very hard for this victory and we deserve it. Sometimes you have to fight, you have to stick your leg in and we are very happy.”

“We have made a real statement but it's not definitive. We weren't celebrating the league title because Atletico are still there. It's been a perfect week and we should celebrate it, but we haven't won the league yet, not at all.”

Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois felt his side had deserved more from the two games.

“To win games you need to score goals and we couldn't do that in these two games. We lacked accuracy, we couldn't play the final pass and they saved themselves a couple of times, the ball just didn't want to go in,” he said.

Barcelona have moved 10 points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who face Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Source(s): Reuters