'Hala Madrid' chants prevail in Navi Mumbai as Real Madrid beat Barcelona in El Clasico of Legends

Recreating the fierce rivalry that was once the order of their lives, former Real Madrid and Barcelona superstars faced off at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium on Sunday. The much-anticipated 'Legends Faceoff', the first El Clasico to be held in India, witnessed 'Real Madrid Leyendas' getting the better of 'FC Barcelona Legends' with a comfortable  2-0 win.

 

Sliding tackles, hard pushes and close markings were galore as both sides delivered a competitive game to the excitement of the fans. 

 

 

Fernando Morientes and David Torres Barral scored for the Los Blancos in either half of the game to the disappointment of the Barca defense led by captain Carlos Puyol. Although Luis Figo was declared captain of the Madrid side ahead of the game, it was Christian Karembeu who donned the captain's armband.

 

Birthday Morientes broke the hearts of hundreds of Culers at the DY Patil, only hours after having cut the cake in the company of the Barca stars.  

 

Ballon d'Or winners Luis Figo and Michael Owen combined to feed Morientes an easy through ball to shake the Barca net in the 14th minute before Barral skipped past the legendary and Frank de Boer to calmly slot the ball past the goalkeeper after the break.

 

 

Javier Saviola, who played for both Spanish giants during his illustrious career appeared the most potent force in the Barca attack. Brazil's Rivaldo and Dutchman Patrick Kluivert were largely kept under check by the opposition defense led by 42-year-old Pepe. Puyol facing off with Figo and Saviola's contest with Pepe were the highlights of the game, which was attended by an excited Mumbai crowd.

 

The presence of other stalwarts like Xavi, Jose Edmilson, Gaizka Mendieta couldn't help Barca score despite them showing more intent in the second-half. Giovanni Silva's introdcuction gave Barca some much-needed accelaration towards the end and Rivaldo eventually managed a shot on target. However, Madrid defense held on, never compromising their discipline or alertness. 

 

While Portuguese Vitor Baía started at the goal for the Catalans Spaniard Pedro Contreras was the Madrid custodian for the night. They were replaced by Jesus Mariano Angoy and Kiko Casilla respectively in the second half.

 

 

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