Hat-trick from Vinicius Junior sinks rivals Barcelona.
The electric winger put Los Blancos 2-0 up within 10 minutes before Robert Lewandowski reduced the gap just around the half-hour mark.
Vinicius completed his hat-trick after converting the penalty that was conceded from him being taken down by Ronald Araujo in the box. Rodrygo completed the job after the break before Araujo added to the misery for getting sent off for a foul on Vini Jr in the 71st minute.
Barcelona manager, Xavi said after the game:
“I think it’s been one of our worst performances of the season so far. We played well for a while until Robert scored, but that wasn’t enough. We need to do a lot of self criticism, a lot.”
“I’m ready for the criticism. Actually there was criticism already before this game, there’s always been. That is not a problem for me, I believe in the project, I believe in myself, I believe in our players and I think we’re capable of reversing the situation starting next Thursday.”
“There are three titles left and we need to fight for them. I feel strong, I feel calm despite this is a step back for this project and this is a blow.”
Meanwhile his counterpart Carlo Ancelotti said:
“We deserved to win. We started very well. We made the best of our players in the beginning of the game. Vinicius was extraordinary, he played an extraordinary game. But after that it’s been a whole different game where Barcelona took control over the ball and they took their chances.”
“We’ve struggled to take it back. Vinicius just needs to do his job and he said it perfectly earlier: he needs to bring joy to the people and titles to Real Madrid.”
Real look to their Copa del Rey trip to city rivals Atletico Madrid on Thursday before hosting Almeria in the LaLiga on Sunday.
Barcelona have their Copa del Rey tie against Unionistas before taking a trip to Real Betis on Sunday in LaLiga.
Other posts by Hiresh
