The first half ended with Barcelona temporarily leading Real Madrid one-nil, but as the Real Madrid players filed back into the dressing room, not one of them showed the slightest trace of a loser's dejection. Instead, their faces were filled with confidence and unwillingness to accept defeat.
Anyone could see that this was not the expression a trailing team should have.
That was related to the situation in the first half.
After Barcelona took the lead just three minutes into the match, Real Madrid began organizing their attack and defense steadily and methodically. They gave Barcelona few more opportunities. The only attacks that left much of an impression were Iniesta's through ball and Messi's sudden long-range shot after making a late run, but neither created any real danger.
After a long period of adjustment, Courtois had gradually integrated himself into Real Madrid's defensive system. His fierce competition with Navas had driven the Belgian goalkeeper to keep improving, and that progress was finally on display in this match.
Apart from those two dangerous attacks, Barcelona had hardly produced a decent chance.
Neymar on the left no longer had his flashy wing dribbles, Messi on the right had lost his trademark bursts of acceleration, and Cristiano Ronaldo could barely find any opportunities inside or outside the box...
It could be said that under Real Madrid's meticulous tactics, Barcelona's attacking trident had been restrained.
Although they had conceded after only three minutes, Real Madrid's steady, methodical approach afterward allowed them to find their footing. It also helped the players regain the rhythm and confidence of the match. They began to realize that they had not lost yet.
That confidence was precisely what allowed them to return to the dressing room with a more positive and upbeat mentality.
As soon as they returned to