Copa del Rey 2013 semi-final to be decided in Camp Nou
Neither Messi or Ronaldo were match deciders in the first leg of the Copa del Rey 2013 semi final, that honour belonged to young French defender Raphael Varane. A late inclusion into the Real Madrid squad to cover the absence of Pepe and Ramos in defence, he capped an impressive performance leaping between Puyol and Fabregas to head the ball into the back of the net equalising Fabregas’s opener. Barcelona will go into the decider with an away goal; Madrid will feel that they too can sneak in an away goal in the return leg of the Copa del Rey 2013 to played in Camp Nou on Wednesday 26th of February. Which of these teams will make it into the final?
For the return match Madrid will recuperate defender Ramos, returning from suspension and with Pepe set to be out for a month through injury, his position is likely to be covered by Varane, hero of the first semi-final, whose first half goal line clearance and goal kept Madrid in the match. Barcelona will feel they wasted several opportunities to take the lead especially when Pedro ran clear and his chipped shot went wide and new Real Madrid keeper Diego Lopéz pulling off some great saves to deny them. Real Madrid can also feel they were unlucky with Ronaldo denied early in the game by Barça keeper Pinto and Benzema’s strike hitting the side-netting. It promises to be a great second semi-final of the Copa del Rey 2013 between Barça and Real Madrid.
Barcelona will be expected to play their possession game, firing quick passes between their mid-field wizards Xavi and Iniesta, waiting patiently for the Madrid defence to open for a slick pass to Messi, Pedro or Fabregas to finish. Madrid on the other hand will take advantage of the speed of their attacking forwards and any mistake or loss of possession in the mid field could prove costly to Barcelona. The distance between these two clubs has diminished over the last few seasons and now there is no clear favourite, the deciding factors could be the away goal and home ground advantage Barcelona take into the game.
Even though star forwards Messi and Ronaldo had quiet matches in the first leg, the quality of these two players means they won’t stay quiet for long and the return semi-final of the Copa del Rey 2013, provides the perfect stage to showcase their talents. Which one will score the winning goal putting their team into the final? Find out by joining the thousands of screaming fans in Barcelona’s mythical Camp Nou stadium and experience the excitement and emotion of ‘el clasico’. Take advantage of the days and hours leading up to the match to see more of Barcelona, the museums, restaurants, nightlife, enjoy a Paella down near the beach or simply soak up the winter sunshine.
If you are looking for accommodation for the Copa del Rey 2013 semi-final between Barcelona and Real Madrid check out some of our Barcelona apartments and enjoy all Barcelona has to offer.
James – Marketing Team
