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Essien keeps Messi in check in El Clasico stalemate

Posted On Thursday, 31st January 2013

Michael Essien, right, challenging Barcelona's Lionel Messi for the ball in Wednesday's El Clasico at the Bernabao

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

Ghana star midfielder Michael Essien was top of the match for Real Madrid as they played a pulsating one-all stalemate with Barcelona in the Coppa del Rey on Wednesday night. 

The Chelsea loanee, 30, was assigned to right-back by Jose Mourinho at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and he hugely impressed.

Essien policed Madrid’s right-back and put up a man of the match display keeping world footballer of the year Lionel Messi in close check.

On the 16th minute, Messi succeeded in breaching the Madrid central defence and was on his way to scoring the opener for Barcelona when Essien popped up to overpower him and rescue Madrid.

He also put Cristiano Ronaldo through on two occasions with incisive crosses but the Portuguese man failed to convert the chances.

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READERS COMMENTS

  1. Troy says:

    Yeaahh right Essien really Impressed me lastnight what a fabulous display by him. I thought Essien can’t match the pace of classico but I was proved wrong lastnite. He actually saved Real Madrid countless times

  2. Nii Kwatei says:

    When Essien returns, Black Stars will be almighty! He shoud play as a right back for us too. Can you imagine Kwadwo as a left-back, Essien as a right-back for Ghana. With this defence we can match every attacking side in the world.

  3. hope he’ll be fit for the wc qualifies?

  4. hafiz abdul mutallib says:

    evn C Ronaldo claped 4 him 4 dat chalng against messi

  5. GH FUO, THINK BIG!!! says:

    ESSIEN CAN PLAY 6 OR 2..FOR GH BLACKSTARS. MOURINHO SHOULD USE HIM MORE AT THE RIGHT BACK.





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