'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Luis Suarez’ second half goal was enough to secure a victory for Barcelona and open up a four point gap at the top of the table against opponents Real Madrid.The home side started the game on the front foot and Jeremy Mathieu converted Lionel Messi’s free kick to give them the lead. The visitors stepped up a notch after that and Cristiano Ronaldo soon got them back into the game after some fantastic build-up play by Benzema.The Catalans dominated the second half and should have scored at least a couple of goals, but the Uruguayan striker’s calm finish proved to be the difference in the end.Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 Something needs to be done about simulation
With the world's most expensive player, the winner of the Ballon d’Or, the winner of the European Golden Shoe and the winner of the World Cup Golden Ball, this was supposed to be an exhibition of fantastic football. Instead, the 400 million people who tuned into watch the game witnessed the ugly facet of football which nobody likes – simulation, feigning injury and a tendency to try to con the referee into awarding a free kick or sending a player off.
To be fair, Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz did really well to spot the fouls from the dives. But the alarming tendency with which the likes of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo went to the ground was simply appalling. On another day, with a less authoritative referee, the whole game could've been spoiled thanks to the player's theatrics.
#2 From sinner to saint
A lot has been made about Carlo Ancelotti's decision to give Iker Casillas the No. 1 spot. But on Sunday, the Spanish shot-stopper showed that while he might be edging towards the twilight of his career, his reflexes are still as good as ever.
Although defensively the visitors once again had a disappointing game, Casillas did more than enough on his record-breaking day, as he became Madrid's leading appearance maker in El Clasico.
Not only did he come off his line to make a wonderful diving header in the first half, his saves in the second half – especially from Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi – showed that the 33-year-old Spaniard still has what it takes at the highest level. Even if it wasn't enough against the Catalans, it at least ensured that they didn't suffer a humiliating defeat, which at one point looked on the cards.
#3 A game of two halves
Having won just one of their last four games, Real Madrid came into this game knowing that they couldn't afford to lose. But a defensive lapse from Sergio Ramos meant that Jeremy Mathieu scored his first league goal for Barcelona. From then onwards, it was all Real as the visitors played some fantastic football and equalised through Ronaldo.
In the second half however, they were a shadow of themselves. Isco and Toni Kroos, who dominated in the first half, were almost non-existent in the second. And once Suarez scored the goal to give his side the lead, Ancelotti's side looked deflated. From then onwards, they didn't look as though they were going to come back and thus gave a tame ending to a game that started very well.
#4 Neymar dazzles but struggles with end-product
All the build-up to the game was about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Luis Suarez's good goal scoring form and Gareth Bale's unwarranted reputation with the Madrid supporters meant that even they were mentioned.
But it was Neymar who turned on the style at the Camp Nou. The Brazilian showed just why he is one of the best players in the world to watch, as he ghosted past defenders with consummate ease. His pace and trickery were a constant menace to the visitors’ defence. But if there was one thing that the Brazilian lacked, it was composure in front of goal.
He missed a tap-in from close range in the first half and should have scored after being sent clean through by Messi. For all of his good work, he almost cost his side thanks to his profligacy in front of goal – this is something that the attacker must work on if he is to reach the standards set by Messrs. Messi and Ronaldo.
#5 Is the title race over?
The Catalans are now four points clear at the top of the table. Yes there are still 10 games left, but it almost feels as though the league title is almost sewn up. In a league where even draws are as costly as wins, a four-point advantage at the top means that the Catalans need to drop points in not one but two games.
Something that looks unlikely, particularly given their recent form, which has seen them win 10 of their last 11 La Liga games and 18 of their last 19 games in all competitions. Although they face tough away trips to Sevilla and Atletico Madrid before the end of the season, you would still fancy their chances in both games.
Particularly in the latter, as it is the penultimate game of the season, by which they might have already wrapped it up, given Real Madrid's current form.
