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Barcelona’s Copa del Rey Real Madrid draw showed three things - about both teams
BARCELONA and Real Madrid played out a 1-1 draw in the Copa del Rey. And it showed three things about both teams along the way.
Barcelona went into the El Clasico fixture against Real Madrid as favourites given the plight of Santiago Solari’s side.
But Los Blancos emerged from the clash via a 1-1 draw, giving them hope of making the Copa del Rey final in the process.
Lucas Vazquez scored early on for Real Madrid before Malcom managed to salvage a result for Barcelona late on.
Express Sport explains the three things the showdown from the two La Liga giants showed.
Real miss Ronaldo
Real Madrid were on top throughout the majority of their Copa del Rey showdown with Barcelona.
If only they had Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was tailor-made for the big occasion and, given how vulnerable Barcelona looked at times, would have been the difference.
Los Blancos need to replace him in the summer. Eden Hazard or Neymar would have won this match.
Barcelona prepare for their Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid
Malcom shows Barcelona promise
Big things were expected of Malcom when Barcelona beat Arsenal and Manchester United to his signature in the summer.
And, tonight, he lived up the billing.
The Brazil international has struggled during his maiden season at the Nou Camp, often left on Ernesto Valverde’s bench.
But tonight shows Malcom can yet hit the heights that many initially expected.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are tight
The final thing the Copa del Rey showdown suggested was that Barcelona and Real Madrid have little between them.
Sure, Los Blancos miss Ronaldo.
And Barcelona would also have looked a lot better had Lionel Messi been picked from the start.
But there is little to separate the two teams at the moment. A fascinating final few months of the season now lie in wait…