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La Liga: Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid

Oddspreview staff - 26 Feb 2009

Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points with a 1-0 win over Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Julio Baptista’s goal towards the end of the first half was enough to earn victory for Real, who extended their unbeaten run to six games.

Lionel Messi was sidelined with a thigh injury but Barcelona still started strongly, looking to maintain their 100 per cent winning record at home.

Iker Casillas was needed to keep out a Samuel Eto’o shot, before quickly regaining his balance to prevent an Andres Iniesta goal.

Casillas made another brilliant save, this time from the below-par Ronaldinho, before Real hit Barca on the counter-attack.

Juilo Baptista fired the ball into the roof of the net on 36 minutes after a slick passing move between himself and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Frank Rijkaard’s side began to throw caution to the wind as the clock ticked down, but a well organised Madrid back four stood firm throughout the second half.

Although Thierry Henry was back from injury and sat on the bench, Rijkaard instead brought on 17-year-old sensation Bojan Krkic, who threatened at times and brought a good save out of Casillas.

But Barcelona could not break through and now face an uphill battle when La Liga resumes in the New Year.

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