Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner at the Nou Camp left leaders Real
seven points clear of Barca with just four matches to
play.
Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg will now make
or break Barcelona’s season and boss Guardiola insisted his troops
will go all out to overcome their 1-0 deficit.
He said: “The players are sad but we will be prepared for
Tuesday.
"The players know the importance of the match against Chelsea.
We cannot fail on Tuesday.”
Sami Khedhira slotted home the 16th-minute opener after Victor
Valdes saved Pepe’s header.
Barca supersub Alexis scrambled home a 70th-minute leveller but
his side’s joy was shortlived as Ronaldo restored Madrid’s lead
three minutes later.
Jose Mourinho’s Real have now hit 109 goals this season —
beating their previous record of 107 under John Toshack in
1990.
Meanwhile, Barca’s Andres Iniesta has refused to join in
the condemnation of ‘diving’ Didier Drogba.
The Chelsea striker was widely accused of play-acting in last
week’s first leg.
But Iniesta said: “I accept he probably exaggerated but
you can’t fault him because other players would do the same.
“When you are desperate for success you can do anything.”
Barcelona: Valdes,
Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Adriano (Pedro 75), Busquets, Xavi
(Sanchez 69), Thiago, Iniesta, Messi, Tello (Fabregas
80).
Subs not used:
Montoya, Pinto, Keita, Pique
Goals: Sanchez
70
Booked: Busquets,
Alves, Mascherano
Real Madrid:
Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira;
Cristiano, Ozil (Callejon 88) Di Maria (Granero 74), Benzema
(Higuain 90).
Subs not used:
Adan, Kaka, Granero, Marcelo, Albiol
Booked: Pepe,
Alonso, Ozil
Goals: Khedira 17,
Ronaldo 73
