El Clasico: London riots hit Camp Nou as Fabregas debuts against Stoke City in disguise!

The Clasico for once were classics were the words of the commentator as Barcelona lifted their first trophy of the season, the score-line however, reflected a stark reality of the eventualities of the day.

In a game where Real Madrid seemed much more compact and catching up much quicker to Barcelona than it was anticipated earlier, the two sides ignited off in the second half, with usual suspects Marcelo and Pepe living up their reputation as ‘hard-line’ defenders, if I may call it.

Real Madrid did a much better job pressurizing Barcelona in the early stages of the game, coming close on more than one occasion before Lionel Messi’s brilliant through-pass to Iniesta settled the early nerves for the Catalan side. Real hit back with Ronaldo before, Messi scored to put Barcelona 2-1 ahead at half time.

The second half was less eventful game-play wise before 30 million odd signing Cesc Fabregas stepped in at the 83^rd minute.

The Cesc Fabregas week continued at Camp Nou as Fabregas made a cameo appearance, playing a couple of cute passes, and then contributing to the build-up of Barcelona’s third goal when it looked like the game was headed for extra-time after a lapse in defense gave Real Madrid the equalizer.

The match turned on its head in the dying moments of injury time when Marcelo went into Fabregas with two legs, scissor cutting Barcelona’s latest recruit’s legs, enticing the Barcelona bench to jump up, followed by minor tangles and skirmishes all over the pitch.

For Fabregas, it was a nice home coming, lifting a trophy in his very first game in Barcelona’s colors. Real Madrid, were welcoming too, reminding him of his makeshift home in London with a couple of ‘Stoke City-ish’ kind of tackles, which incited the ‘rioting’ in the first place.

Barcelona's players by now might have got used to Real Madrid's Mourinho version of winning at all costs, but for Fabregas it was a tough day at the office, a classic Andy Gray's 'Stoke City on a cold night' version of Real Madrid that he witnessed the 7 odd minutes plus injury time he was out there on the pitch.

Uncle Mourinho says hello his own way

Reserve keeper Pinto once again played an active part in the ‘brawl’, as Jose Mourinho cheekily walked over, pinched one of the members of Barcelona's bench, and walked off back to his dugout, as calmly as it can be done. Of-course, in Mourinho's eyes, it was just a 'I forgot to say hello' approach, and it would be nice to see what he makes of it, if he decides to break his silence.

[HD] Mourinho Pinches Villanova - Super Copa Final 2011 (via EdwinTV42)

Can Pep's decision of not buying a center-back haunt us?

Barcelona’s defense for once lacked discipline making stupid mistakes, gave the ball in dangerous areas which could have proved costly. Barcelona looked perturbed at the back and without captain caveman Carles Puyol ordering his troops around; it really would be interesting to see if Barcelona can end the season with the same kind of success they earned last year.

Barcelona were also vulnerable at corners, being tad untidy and unable to clear the ball, which eventually cost them when Adriano’s poor clearance helped Real Madrid equalize.

Pep Guardiola’s decision of not going for a center-back might as well come to haunt him, and although Mascherano played well in his make-shift position, it would be interesting to see the fitness level of Puyol when he returns and if Barcelona can adapt to life without a recognized quality defender in the latter stages of La Liga and the Champions league.