El Clasico: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona - 5 Talking Points

Two of the biggest sides in world football – Real Madrid and Barcelona – squared off against each other on Saturday in a game that was expected to be high on drama and action. The game did live up to expectations although Madrid fans across the word would be quite disappointed with the performance of their side.Los Blancos were poor in the first half and only marginally improved in the second. On the other hand, Luis Enrique’s men were incisive with their finishing and ran out deserved winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.We look at the five major talking points from the match.

#1 No Messi? No problem!

Lionel Messi grabbed the headlines much to the run up to this game. The Argentine was not fit to start the game and he did not make the starting XI. Fortunately for Barcelona, the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez more than filled in.

Suarez scored early on in the first half and then Neymar slotted in another that ensured a 2-0 lead for the away side going into the break. The ex-Liverpool man also scored another in the 75th minute to grab a memorable brace.

Since Messi’s injury, both the Brazilian and the Uruguayan have upped their game. The former is in the form of his life and he demonstrated his abilities once again on Saturday.

Messi did come on in the second half and was decent with the ball at his feet. However, as things stand, Barcelona can get the job done even without their marquee man pulling the strings for MSN.

24 - Luis Suarez's goal in this game came after a build up of 24 passes; the most for a La Liga goal in 15-16. Fluid pic.twitter.com/C6alAFRG1a

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 21, 2015

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo was ineffective and cut a frustrated figure

A lot was expected of Cristiano Ronaldo against their arch rivals but he failed to live up to expectations on the night. The Portuguese forward has been struggling of late and was expected to buck the trend on Saturday.

However, that was not to be. Ronaldo failed to create any clear-cut chances barring a pass down the right early on in the game. He also failed to convert in the second half when he only had the opposition goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to beat.

For major parts of the game, the former Manchester United star cut a lonely figure up front. He had to continuously fight for long balls and on more than one occasion, ended up losing the battle. He hardly received any incisive passes and was seen getting frustrated time and again with his teammates.

There have often been rumours that Ronaldo is unhappy with Rafa Benitez and doubts his abilities to lead Madrid to trophies. Considering the performance on Saturday, these rumours and the subsequent chants are bound to get louder.

#3 Andres Iniesta was at his very best

Although Luis Suarez bagged two goals at the Bernabeu, there can be no doubt who the star of the show was. Andres Iniesta put in an exquisite performance en route to his side’s 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid.

For major parts of the game, the Barcelona captain displayed immense calm and composure on the ball. He played the role of a captain to the fullest extent helping out his defence and he was also lively going forward in attack. The goal only stamped his authority on the game as he blasted a screamer into the top corner.

Early in the first half, he made a defence-splitting pass from absolutely out of nowhere! But unfortunately for him young Sergi Roberto failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

Xavi’s departure at the end of last season meant that Iniesta was the most senior pro in the Catalan outfit and that implied a lot of responsibility. And he has delivered without any complaints, even getting a standing ovation from the Madrid fans when he was substituted.

#4 What does the future hold for Karim Benzema?

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the off-field controversy involving national teammate Mathieu Valbuena; it was important for Karim Benzema to depict that his mind was still in the game. Unfortunately, that was not to be.

Right from the start, Benzema looked off the pace. He lost the ball quite easily and on quite a few occasions seemed to lack the alacrity to get the ball and take a shot on goal. He improved a bit in the second half, even getting a header on target. But by then, the damage had already been done.

The Madrid officials have time and again reiterated their belief in Benzema’s abilities and pledged their support to the Frenchman in light of the incident involving Valbuena. However, it was up to Benzema to repay that faith with a decent performance against the Blaugrana and that did not happen.

#5 A tough week ahead for Rafa Benitez

The times ahead are going to be tough for Rafael Benitez. After starting out well in the league, his side has slipped in the last two games with back-to-back defeats against Sevilla and Barcelona.

Against the Catalan club, there were a number of contentious decisions that the ex-Inter man took with regard to his starting lineup. The in-form Casemiro and Jese Rodriguez were benched with James Roriguez and Karim Benzema taking their places.

While Rodriguez put in a good shift, Benzema put in a lacklustre display. The Madrid-born Jese could have been ideal for this fixture. The likes of Dani Carvajal and Isco brought a sense of urgency into the Madrid attack after coming on and keeping them on the bench surely wasn’t the best decision.

Benitez wouldn’t have imagined his first Clasico to pan out like this. The week ahead will be tough for him as he is bound to come under a barrage of criticism from the media and the fans. Whether this result is another nail in the coffin for him, only time will tell.