Dani Alves takes place of Sergio Busquets as Barcelona take on Real Madrid – La Liga Special
When http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078 take on their arch rivals Real Madrid CF, it was always going to be a heated affair. Things have taken a different direction over the last couple of seasons as Sergio Busquets etched a place for himself in the Catalan side’s starting eleven.
He was missing from action but teammate http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dani-Alves-c9869 made sure the midfielder’s absence was not noted.
Ever since Busquets was caught playacting blatantly in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan, jury has been out on him as the biggest cheat in the footballing world. He has not helped his case by continuing his antics
in big matches as he was at the centre of things again in all the important games of the season, save the match against Arsenal at Emirates.
The World Cup winner could not stop himself in the return leg at Camp Nou as he went on the ground like a toddler. His antics were at a higher pitch in the semi-finals of the Champions League as Barcelona took on Real Madrid. The first leg was marred with
controversy as Busquets continued his shenanigans for the Catalans.
His teammates joined in the action looking for easy fouls as they went to the ground, looking for cheap free kicks and bossing the referee to give away a yellow card or two. Dani Alves and Pedro Rodriguez joined in the act as they went to ground even with
slightest of touches.
Alves was much more effective than his young colleague with the cheap tricks. The player, who can withstand any challenge from any opponent, went to the ground and grovelled on the pitch. Situation escalated as the Catalan players surrounded the referee
and the jubilations of Alves could be seen as Real Madrid centre back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670 was given his marching orders.
In the first El Clasico of the year, Busquets was missing and someone had to take his place as the chief theatrical orchestrator on the pitch. Alves was on fire again as he went on the ground with slightest contact. His actions became desperate as the match
progressed with the referee fully aware of his antics, being ignored and asked to return to his feet at the earliest.
When a reputation precedes you, referees are unlikely to listen even when you are hard done by. Alves was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Pepe in the second half and the Brazilian must have been hurt for some time.
However, nothing came of it as the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Ramos-c33096 admitted that there was malice from his colleague.
With http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048 likely to return in the next match, it will be a heated event at Camp Nou. The Catalan outfit will have the support of the Cules on their side and will be making the most of it to influence the game in any way possible.
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