Thursday, August 30, 2012

Vilanova's three stooges conspire to gift Madrid Supercopa spoils

Individual mistakes from Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique, as well as a red card for Adriano, handed victory to Jose Mourinho's men in the second leg at the Bernabeu
Oh dear, oh dear. Barcelona must be kicking themselves wondering just how Supercopa success managed to slip from their grasp.

The Catalans were, at one stage in the first leg, inches away from taking a 4-1 lead but now have to face up to the reality that they have not added to their trophy collection.
Following Victor Valdes' howler in the first leg, Barca's luck was out once again in the return meeting as first, after just 11 minutes, Javier Mascherano's pathetic attempt at a clearance allowed Gonzalo Higuain to race through and grab the opening goal of the game, squaring the aggregate scoreline.

And just eight minutes later there was more embarrasment for Tito Vilanova's men as Gerard Pique's lapse in concentration saw Cristiano Ronaldo's extravagent flick come off before he steadied himself and fired past Valdes to put Real two up on the night.

Surely that was that in terms of leaving Barca players with egg on their faces? Well it wasn't.

Step forward Adriano who completes the line-up of the three Barca stooges as he was red carded for pulling back Ronaldo just before the half hour mark - and not even Lionel Messi, despite his best efforts having pulled a goal back, could stop Mourinho getting his hands on more silverware...

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