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Madrid's "Real" failed to create a small miracle - without coach Jose Mourinho, who remained in the hotel, the capital's team played 1-1 with "Barcelona" in the second leg of the semi-final match, but it wasn't enough as the Catalans won the first match 2-0.
The Barcelona team advanced to the prestigious tournament final, where they will face the winner of the "Man Utd" and Gelsenkirchen's "Schalke" pair. The result will be determined on Wednesday in Manchester, and the decisive match for the cup will take place on May 28 at London's "Wembley" stadium.
It is speculated that Mourinho did not go to "Camp Nou" for security reasons. Either way, he would not have been able to lead his team from the technical area due to suspension for being sent off to the stands in the first leg of the semi-final match.
At the start of the match, "Real" tried to score an early goal, but failed to do so and did not pose any threat to the opposition's goal in the first 45 minutes. Even Kaka did not help - the Brazilian, who had shown good form recently, had a rare chance to start in the lineup, but he failed to shine and was replaced by Mesut Ozil shortly after the break.
Meanwhile, "Barcelona" controlled the ball in their usual style and had at least three great opportunities to score: two shots from Lionel Messi and one from David Villa were saved by "Real" goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
After the break, the Madrid team revived a bit, but in the 54th minute Pedro took advantage of a defensive mistake, ran past Casillas and sent the ball into the net - 1-0.
"Real" didn't give up and in the 64th minute, they equalized: first Angel Di Maria hit the post, and then passed the ball to Marcelo, who scored from close range, giving some hope.
Madrid's club needed to score two more goals, but "Barcelona" avoided late drama. The Spanish champions successfully defended, and at the end of the match, to the applause of the spectators, defender Eric Abidal, who had recovered from a liver tumor operation, went onto the pitch.
As the referee, who managed to avoid theatrical scenes and unnecessary intrigue throughout the 90 minutes, blew the end of the match, the "Real" players had to walk towards the dressing rooms with gloomy faces. Meanwhile, "Barcelona" celebrated and hoped to lift the Champions League trophy for the fourth time in the club's history on May 28.
"Barcelona" 1 - 1 Madrid "Real" (the first leg 2-0, total result 3-1) 54' [1 - 0] Pedro 64' [1 - 1] Marcelo
A passionate fan ran onto the pitch before the start of the second half:"
