Plunged into the middle of an arbitration corruption scandal, FC Barcelona won the shock against Real Madrid (2-1) by winning in the dying seconds, this Sunday, March 19 at Camp Nou. The Ivorian Franck Kessié was decisive by scoring the winning goal for the Barcelonians in added time.
The end of the suspense in La Liga? At the head of the Spanish championship with nine points ahead of Real Madrid (56 points, 2nd), FC Barcelona approached this Clásico with the firm intention of sealing its destiny in a context that is nevertheless delicate.
On March 10, the Barcelona prosecution charged the club, but also its former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu (2014-2020) and Sandro Rosell (2010-2014) as well as the former number 2 of Spanish arbitration José Maria Enriquez Negreira For ” corruption between individuals in the sports sector », « breach of trust ” And ” forgery in business records “. Heavy charges that could eventually lead the Catalan club to be demoted or to be withdrawn from the titles won by the Spanish League, or even UEFA.
Entangled in this corruption scandal for several weeks, the Catalan club had to succeed in ignoring the extra-sporting context to best approach this Clásico. ” I will have time to explain to you who, why and how they are orchestrating this campaign. Do not doubt that we will defend ourselves. And not only will we defend ourselves, but we will attack “, promised Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona.
Culers, you can be calm. Barça is innocent of the accusations made against it and is the victim of a campaign, that now involves everyone, to harm its honorability. It is no surprise, and we will defend Barça and prove that the Club is innocent. Many will be forced to rectify.
— Joan Laporta Estruch? (@JoanLaportaFCB) March 12, 2023
The decisive Ivorian Franck Kessié
Attack, they did it from the start this Sunday evening against the people of Madrid. But despite several good opportunities at the very start of the game, such as the strike from Lewandowski (3rd) or the crossed header from Raphinha (6th) each time well repelled by Thibaut Courtois, FC Barcelona were surprised against the course of the game by a goal against his side of Ronald Araujo (0-1, 9th). Cut off in their tracks, the Blaugranas then let the Madrid players put their foot on the ball and increase the pressure on Ter Stegen’s cage. The Barcelonians finally got their heads back just before half-time, with the equalizer from Sergi Roberto who took over a ball pushed back into the area (1-1, 45th).
The start of the second half proved to be more balanced, with each team occupying the opposing box in turn without however managing to find the net. As the game sank into a false rhythm, Raphinha could have unlocked the game after a nice volley (74th) but Thibaut Courtois, attentive, intervened near his left post. A few minutes later, Marco Asensio believed to offer victory to the Merengues by sliding a ball close to the post to deceive the Catalan goalkeeper (81st), but his goal was then canceled for offside.
The light came from Franck Kessié at the very end of the match. After a good cross from Alejandro Balde in the box, the Ivorian midfielder left the Madrid goalkeeper no chance and released his team in added time (2-1, 90th + 2). With this success acquired in pain, FC Barcelona takes a big step towards the coronation in La Liga and leaves Real Madrid 12 points behind. Enough to ensure a quiet end to the season on the ground for the Barcelonans, if not to be serene behind the scenes.