New Jersey El Clasico: Pau Victor’s Double Secures Barcelona’s Victory
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- William D
- August 4, 2024
At the much-awaited MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Barcelona and Real Madrid faced off in the highly anticipated El Clasico U.S. preseason match.
The game lived up to the expectation, presenting a thrilling exhibition of football between two of La Liga’s most illustrious clubs, despite a delay caused by bad weather.
MetLife Stadium, which hosts NFL games normally, became the scene of one of the biggest rivalries in football. Supporters eagerly awaited the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid on American territory, despite the bad weather.
Both teams displayed their skills at the start of the game, but Pau Victor of Barcelona stole the show.
Victor gave an absolutely amazing performance. The 22-year-old forward scored both of Barcelona’s goals in the preseason, continuing his excellent form after his great performance against Manchester City.
His skillful finishes and superb placement demonstrated his potential to be a major contributor in the forthcoming campaign.
This game demonstrated Victor’s abilities and gave supporters a taste of what to anticipate from Barcelona under new manager Hansi Flick.
First setup and weather delay
Shortly after the game started, lightning struck the area, creating an unexpected obstacle for the much anticipated encounter between Barcelona and Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium.
After just 11 minutes of play, the players had to return to the locker rooms due to the bad weather, which caused tension among the supporters. Both sides had begun to gain pace as they adapted to the playing circumstances when the abrupt interruption occurred.
The wait served as a test of endurance for the supporters. A large crowd had gathered at the stadium, excited to watch one of the biggest rivalries in football take place in the United States. There was no less enthusiasm from them in spite of the delay.
While some people withstood the rain in an effort to maintain their positive attitude, many others took cover under the stadium’s shelters.
Chants and melodies reverberated around the stadium, demonstrating the football fans’ everlasting passion in any situation.
The players also have to adjust fast to the unplanned pause. Coaches and staff worked in the dressing rooms to keep the teams engaged and prepared to play again. The delay gave tactical modifications and mental regrouping a little but critical window of opportunity.
Because the game was stop-start, it was important to stay focused because it might easily throw off their rhythm. The task was to remain warm and organized so that when play restarted, they could get right back into it.
The lightning finally stopped after more than an hour, and the match officials gave the all-clear to resume.
There was a tangible sense of relief and excitement when the play resumed. It was evident that both teams were eager to make up lost time as the players returned to the field.
Rather than lessening the spectacle, the wait seemed to build anticipation and provide the perfect environment for an even more compelling and emotional encounter.
Who was the man of the match? Asking for a friend… pic.twitter.com/jP9KlVyqbC
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 4, 2024
Highlights of the First Half
Despite the earlier weather delay, Barcelona and Real Madrid’s first half in the U.S. preseason edition of El Clasico was characterized by high-energy play from both sides. With rapid exchanges and forceful attacks, both teams showed that they intended to dominate as soon as play restarted.
Barcelona tried to push forward, but Real Madrid’s defense held firm as Los Blancos sought to counterattack. The intense rivalry between the players kept spectators on the edge of their seats, waiting for a breakthrough.
The breakthrough occurred in the 42nd minute, with Pau Victor of Barcelona gaining the lead. Álex Valle opened the action with an excellent cross from the right flank.
With impeccable timing and placement, Valle showed off his vision and accuracy by putting the ball into the box. The cross performed exactly what it was supposed to do—it split Real Madrid’s defense and opened up a scoring window.
Robert Lewandowski placed himself in an advantageous position to collect the ball as it got closer to the penalty area.
Lewandowski showed his experience and understanding by getting a foot to the ball and deftly redirected it into Victor’s path as he approached. Lewandowski’s pivotal move not only got past the Real Madrid defense but also set Victor up for a clear goal opportunity.
Highlights of the Second-Half
💫 ¡Jacobo Ramón, @rafaobrador11 y @lorenzo2aguado debutan con el @RealMadrid!#RealMadridOnTour | #LaFábrica pic.twitter.com/EHcTE3s69m
— Cantera Real Madrid (@lafabricacrm) August 4, 2024
In an attempt to add some new life to their team in the second half, Real Madrid brought on Vinícius Júnior. It was thought that the acquisition of the Brazilian forward would bring them the extra spark to pick up their offensive game.
Vinícius had a dynamic presence on the field, opening up new avenues for attacking gaps in Barcelona’s defense with his pace and inventiveness. His arrival was a blatant indication that Real Madrid wanted to make a go at it.
Nico Paz’s goal in the 82nd minute marked the beginning of Real Madrid’s success. Arda Güler’s corner kick created the opportunity.
The pace and accuracy of Güler’s pass made it difficult for Barcelona’s defense to clear the ball. Paz took advantage of a brief breakdown in Barcelona’s defensive structure as the ball soared into the box.
The defense of Barcelona, which had played a rather strong game, was taken aback.
Paz was given the room and opportunity to execute a pivotal play since the players neglected to mark him correctly. Paz grabbed the chance, climbed over the defenders, and headed the ball precisely into the corner.
With the game drawing to a close, Paz’s goal gave Real Madrid a chance to reclaim the lead. His header demonstrated his ability to score from set pieces and emphasized the value of upholding defensive discipline.
Victor’s earlier goals ultimately proved to be the difference as Barcelona held on to win despite this late rally.
Due to injuries and international commitments, numerous key players for both Barcelona and Real Madrid were absent, which significantly affected their preseason training.
The absence of several star players proved significant for Barcelona. While Ronald Araújo, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati, and Gavi were out with injury, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres continued their post-Euro 2024 duties.
The team’s approach and performance during the match suffered greatly from the absence of these players, who made up a large chunk of Barcelona’s starting lineup.
Real Madrid was missing a few key players as well. Kylian Mbappé had not yet made his Los Blancos debut, despite his transfer drama being the topic of considerable conjecture.
Both supporters and pundits spoke a lot about his expected return, but his absence created a glaring hole in Madrid’s offensive capabilities.
The absence of Jude Bellingham, another well-known summer addition, also affected Madrid’s midfield inventiveness and fluidity.
Both teams’ performances showed the effects of these absences. Barcelona had to rely largely on young players and squad members to make up for the loss of its stars.
The squad’s adaptation and resilience were tested, and Pau Victor and Álex Valle’s performances demonstrated the squad’s depth and potential.
The absence of Mbappé and Bellingham forced Real Madrid to adjust to playing without its star players, which had an impact on the team’s overall synergy in the midfield and on offense.
The arrival of these important individuals will be critical for both sides as the season draws near. Real Madrid will be hoping that Mbappé and Bellingham have a big influence when they return, while Barcelona will be keen to get their injured stars back into the mix and bolster their roster.
The issues each team has have been made clear by these absences, and their eventual return will surely have a significant impact on the forthcoming LaLiga season.
In the U.S. preseason El Clasico, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-1. This is a noteworthy result, as it is the team’s fourth consecutive triumph in Clasicos held in the United States.
The team’s confidence is increased by their continuous performance in these important games, which also serves to further solidify their standing as a dangerous foe in international competitions.
The victory acts as a declaration of intent, showcasing Barcelona’s capacity to contend and deliver excellent play before of the formal start of the season.
The ramifications of this triumph go beyond the match’s instant exhilaration. It gives Barcelona a big boost in confidence as they go ready for the new La Liga season.
The team’s performance in these crucial preseason games can serve as a reliable gauge of their form and level of preparation for the league.
Barcelona’s performance against their bitter rivals provides a preview of their competitiveness and ability to contend for championships as the La Liga season approaches.
Pau Another important lesson from this win is Victor’s outstanding performance. The youthful striker’s double against Real Madrid emphasizes both his prospective position under new head coach Hansi Flick and his rising stature in the team.
Because of his knack for scoring big goals and his seeming ability to work well with colleagues like Álex Valle, Victor might be a key component of Barcelona’s offensive approach this season.
His outstanding play could have an impact on Flick’s strategic choices and give Barcelona a useful tool as they aim for both local and European glory.
All things considered, Barcelona’s triumph over Real Madrid not only solidifies their winning record in US CLs but also sets a great tone for their forthcoming campaign.
Barcelona seems ready for a successful season with key players returning from injuries and new players like Pau Victor making an impression.
In order to build on their success and contend for championships in the upcoming season, the team’s performance in these preseason games will serve as a crucial foundation.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are focusing on their final preseason games before the La Liga season starts, having already concluded their preseason matchup in the United States. Barcelona’s next game is scheduled to take place in Baltimore against AC Milan.
The team will get another chance to hone their strategies and evaluate each member of their squad in a competitive environment during this game.
Barcelona will need to gain momentum and keep integrating their new additions and returning players into the team throughout their match against AC Milan.
Conversely, Real Madrid is scheduled to travel to Charlotte for their next game against Chelsea. Madrid will need to overcome any shortcomings from their previous games and find their rhythm in this match, which will be a critical test for them.
Real Madrid will get vital experience from playing a formidable Chelsea team, which will allow them to assess their level of preparation and make any necessary tweaks before the La Liga season begins.
Additionally, players like Kylian Mbappé, who is anticipated to make his debut shortly, will get the chance to demonstrate their skills and get a feel for the team’s style during the match against Chelsea.
These last preseason games will be used by both Barcelona and Real Madrid to hone their tactics and make sure they are ready for the demands of the next campaign.
Fans and commentators will be attentively observing these games, offering insights on how each squad is developing.
Since both teams are expected to contend for championships both domestically and in European competitions, preparation is essential.
The pressure is on as the La Liga season draws near and expectations are rising. Real Madrid and Barcelona will start the season with higher hopes and confidence.
With only a few weeks till the league season kicks off, both teams are intent on making sure they are at their best and prepared to play well right away.
Their strategy and goals for the next season will be greatly influenced by the results of these last preseason games.