Real had more energy and a better game plan on the night and ran out thoroughly deserving winners despite the closeness of the scoreline. Isco, preferred to Asier Illaramendi, may have been booked within two minutes for an over-eager foul on Neymar but he exploited the space where Barcelona's flat-footed midfield contingent should have been. Real were content to draw their great adversaries onto them and defend with Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso in front of a well-drilled back four. Time and again this match followed the same pattern. Barca broke down just past midfield and Isco or Di Maria took up the fight.
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