If the first half and Ancelotti's changes to the team are an example of what never to do, the Real on show after Illarramendi joined the fray was a marked improvement. Real kept the ball, pressured high up the pitch, created chances to score and had Barça on the ropes. It was a true Real Madrid side. Ancelotti knows it and has taken note.
Real wrestled possession back from Barcelona in the second half. This is hugely significant. During the first half, with Ramos at the helm, Barcelona completely dominated possession to the tone of 60% to 40%. During those first 45 minutes, Barça scored one goal, Messi missed another and Real’s only clear-cut chance came in the 44th minute, when Cristiano's pass found Khedira whose attempt on goal ended with Adriano's handball.
After the break, possession became a more evenly-matched affair until Real even took control of the game (52% to 48%). That second half ended 1-1. Real had a hatful of chances and laid siege to Valdés' goal. The only thing lacking was a goal before Alexis practically killed off the game.
