Against all the odds, Real Madrid did it. When very few gave them a chance, they did it. After losing 4-0 in the previous El Clasico encounter at the Bernabeu, they did it. Real Madrid have finally beaten Barcelona—and in what an epic fashion.
Going into the game as underdogs, the mental weakness was blatantly apparent in the opening half an hour of the game as Madrid could hardly get the ball out of their half. Making three passes in a row seemed like a gargantuan task for the Blancos.
Barcelona failed to capitalize, however, and had to pay for it in the end—they didn’t know what hit them as all they did was run and stare at Madrid’s wrath for the last 30 minutes here.
Anyhow, the clash was a beautiful spectacle from which we learned a few things—and here are 6 of them.
Madrid’s barrier more mental
For the first 30 minutes of the clash, it was as if only one team came to play football as Barca were all over Real Madrid. The Whites looked hasty in possession and taking the ball out of their own half looked like the hardest job in the world.
However, once the game went on and fatigued started to kick in for Barcelona—who were viciously bullying their rival to such an extent that if felt like they had forgotten that they had to last for 90 minutes—and the Blancos started to get a look in, they actually showed that in terms of footballing ability, they are match to the Blaugrana's class.
So, why do they get themselves embarrassed by losing more frequently than ever before? Well, from the looks of it, it is more of a mental barrier that stops Real Madrid than anything else.
Casemiro has what it takes
Before the game, we pointed out the importance of this Brazilian and how his battle in midfield will determine the game for Real Madrid. And he won his battle. Starting in his first Clasico, it didn’t feel like it was his debut as he played with incredible composure.
Lionel Messi couldn’t get a snare with him guarding the defense. Indeed, he won the ball multiple times from the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and didn’t give him a moment’s piece in possession.
He wasn’t only limited to stopping Messi: anyone that entered his zone felt the force of the Brazilian smashing their determination.
Real Madrid have always lacked a proper holding midfielder after Makelele’s departure. While Sami Khedira filled in the void for a while, he wasn’t as explosive and agile as Casemiro. The Brazilian has a long way to go before he could be labeled as Makelele’s heir, but his man of the match performance showed that he has what it takes to be so as Zidane’s Real Madrid have won all their games in which the former Porto man started.
Indeed, his performance was such that the mighty…
MSN was quiet
Luis Suarez showed a sign of things to come when he missed an open goal at a time when Real Madrid pinned back. Lionel Messi, even during Barca spell of pressure and superiority, failed to make any sort of impact and the only memorable thing ‘La Pulga’ did was to magnificently place the ball on the top-right corner, which was dealt with equally beautifully by a Keylor Navas save.
Neymar showed glimpses of class, but couldn’t stamp his authority like he almost always does. In short, MSN were quiet. And it was understandable.
The international break was a hell of a journey for them. They spent more time in planes than on the football field and the fatigue from the jet-lag kicking in was inevitable. And that is exactly what happened.
Sergio Ramos has been a liability
92.48 is a combination of numbers that brings to the hearts of Madridistas. The timer read 92.48 when Sergio Ramos headed in the equalizer in the Champions League final in 2014. Those were times when Ramos was frequently mentioned as one of the best centre-backs in the world, but with poor discipline.
However, 2 years later, the praise part of the sentence is no longer spoken, but only the infamous part.
Many expected him to get sent off even before the game started and he didn’t disappoint as he got sent off after being given two yellows with just 7 minutes to play. Madrid were devastating Barcelona in that phase of the game, with Gareth Bale’s legitimate goal being chalked off in controversial circumstances just a while ago, but Ramos unnecessary stupidity could have put the club under a lot of pressure. Thankfully for the Merengues, it didn’t.
His first yellow was a punishment for dissent while his second yellow came after he mindlessly put in a sliding tackle from behind on Luis Suarez. He could have been sent off much earlier in the game, but a lenient Hernandez decided to give Ramos another life, which the Spaniard duly refused late on.
He later joked that “if I had realized what would happen with one player less, that we'd have won with the sending off, I'd have got myself sent off in the fifth minute."
While he could get all cheeky about it now, his irresponsible behavior has cost Madrid many a time. Most of 21 red cards have come against big teams and in crunch situations of the game, making it all the more difficult for the club.
Ramos might be the champ that won them the Decima, but if he keeps this up, he will be remembered more for his love for the red card than the one who was the face of tenth Champions League for Real Madrid.
Full-backs’ influence
Before the game, we stated the importance of the full-back battles between these two clubs and how it could be the game changing factor—and, my word, did Marcelo and Carvajal come up with some beauties.
Real Madrid midfield looked all jammed, so Marcelo took it upon himself to carry the ball forward. And carry he did. After blazing in from deep, a run which startled Barca defenders out of their zones and minds, he passed the ball to Kroos, whose drilled in cross attempt found its way to Karim Benzema—who finished the glorious move.
The next goal came when Dani Carvajal decided to join the attack during a counter as he flashed forward with lightning speed to get the ball in Gareth Bale’s way, who then crossed it for Cristiano to score.
In the end, it were these two moments from Madrid’s two world-class full-backs that determined the outcome of the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo still the man
He might be declining, but in yesterday’s clash against Barca, he showed that he is still the man. For the first goal, he dragged Pique out of Benzema’s way for the latter to blast the ball into the net. Pique might have been in front of the Frenchman, but his mistimed jump works as a testament of his late arrival.
And then he did what he does best: score.
The former United man has been accused of not being able to score against the big teams—and rightfully so. Before yesterday’s game, he couldn’t score a single goal against the top 5 teams in Spain. But he silenced them all yesterday.
First, he provided a superb cross for Bale to head home, a goal which was wrongfully ruled out.
Then Bale returned the favour with a well-placed cross with his right foot, which the Portuguese controlled with his chest and blasted him. It was a goal that got Madrid the win and once against emphasized that he is still the man of the team.
Missed the clash of La Liga giants? Want to relive the El Clasico? Watch all the goals, highlights and key moments from the biggest club match by clicking here, courtesy of the home of football, Sony LIV.
