With all eyes from across Europe falling on the Bernabeu on Thursday night, Barcelona opened their Copa del Rey semi-final adventure with a 1-0 victory against Real Madrid.
While many were expecting Los Blancos to claim what could have been a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil, Eder Militao s first-half own-goal proved costly as Madrid watched their six-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end.
Although Barcelona might have been without a host of first-team stars that included the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, Xai s young squad put in another gritty display here.
Still holding a seven-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table and already claiming this year s Spanish Super Cup thanks to a 3-1 romp against their historic rivals back on January 15th, Barca couldn t have wished for a better outcome at the Bernabeu.
Eventually heading back to Catalonia with a 1-0 advantage to show for their troubles, Carlo Ancelotti s side face a real Copa del Rey struggle when they head to the Nou Camp next month.
In a showdown between two Spanish icons, we have taken a look at the key talking points as Barca laid down another domestic marker in the capital.
A domestic sweep on the cards for Barca?
While Barcelona might have found themselves at the heart of yet another European nightmare last week following their 4-3 aggregate defeat against Manchester United, Xavi s side will be boosted by a rugged display here.
Despite making the trip to the Bernabeu on Thursday night after suffering a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of Almeria last weekend, the Spanish heavyweights have their sights set on completing a famous domestic sweep in 2023.
Although Barca might be without any form of European competition for the remainder of the season, they do appear to be breezing their way to a first La Liga crown since 2019.
Still holding a commanding seven-point buffer over their arch-rivals and gaining plenty of plaudits from across Spain, Xavi s young squad have already collected one piece of silverware this year.
Laying down what was a real marker on January 15th as they lifted this season s Spanish Super Cup thanks to a 3-1 romp against Los Blancos out in the Middle East, Barca now find themselves firmly sat in pole position for a history-making campaign.
Madrid miss the chance to gain a phycological advantage
Mounting a famous Champions League comeback away at Anfield on February 21st as they eventually opened their knockout stage adventure with a 5-2 victory, Real Madrid had been riding a recent wave of momentum.
However, although Los Blancos might have been tipped as a standout pick to gain a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Ancelotti s side failed to lay down what could have been a crucial marker.
While the former AC Milan boss might have named a full-strength XI here, the reigning La Liga champions failed to register a single shot on target and will now know that they face a major uphill struggle.
Watching their six-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end here, Los Blancos will be growing more concerned that they could end the 2022/23 campaign without a piece of domestic silverware to their name.
With it looking like Ancelotti s side will be seeking a minor miracle if they re to defend their domestic crown this year, the 63-year-old could face some growing pressure over the coming weeks.
Defensive stability is the backbone of Barca s domestic success
While Barcelona might have eventually come crashing out of this year s Europa League following an action-packed 4-3 aggregate defeat against Manchester United last week, Thursday s guests have gained a reputation in Spain for their defensive steel.
Although Xavi s side might have failed to show any kind of defensive resolve on the European stage over recent times, Barca s stability at the back has been crucial in their domestic romp this season.
While former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso might have once again been forced to play as a central defender here, Barca didn t allow their arch-rivals to produce a single shot on target throughout the whole 90 minutes.
With the likes of 19-year-old sensation Alejandro Balde really bursting onto the scene since being handed a first-team chance by Xavi this season, the Spanish heavyweights have remarkably shipped just eight La Liga strikes on either side of the World Cup break.
Shipping just a single domestic strike at the Nou Camp this season on what has become a stunning defensive run, Barcelona will be confident of finishing off their Copa del Rey job on April 5th.
Match Report
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho, Camavinga, Kroos, Valverde, Modric, Vini Junior, Benzema
Subs: Tchouameni, Alvaro, Rodrygo
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Kounde, Alonso, Balde, Kessie, Busquets, De Jong, Raphinha, Torres, Gavi
Subs: Fati, Roberto
Goals: Militao OG (20 )
Yellow Cards: Real Madrid: Valverde, Junior, Nacho Barcelona: Gavi, Kessie, Raphinha
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero
