Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona: Five talking points

Delight: Real came up trumps in the first Clasico of the Spanish seasonBiggest game on Earth? Real Madrid have the biggest names on Earth, producing a performance of verve, intent and skill to emerge triumphant in this enthralling El Clasico.Barcelona were not awful, not devoid of skill and undoubted quality, but Real were too good.Cristiano Ronaldo, from the penalty spot, Pepe and Karim Benzema scored the goals for Carlo Ancelotti's side.Here are five talking points from a thrilling Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

#1 Luis Enrique ready to drop under-performing stars

Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic started from the bench for Barcelona

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique displayed a show of ruthlessness in dropping Croatian playmaker Ivan Rakitic. Although impressing during the La Liga thus far, Rakitic suffered the dear repurcusions of a poor individual display against PSG before the international break. Xavi, who was reportedly on the verge of a move to Qatar in the summer, started in his place.

Xavi was ultimately replaced by Rakitic mid-way through the second-half but such a harsh repurcusion encapsulates Enrique’s hard-line approach to under-performing stars.

#2 Isco growing in stature at Real

Although largely subdued and on the fringes of the action, it is remarkable that Real playmaker Alarcon Isco has gone from disillusion at the Santiago Bernabeu and rife speculation throughout the summer of a possible move to Manchester City to starting in the El Clasico.

The Spanish midfielder started at Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League too, benefiting greatly from Gareth Bale's injury. There was no doubt that Real manager Carlo Ancelotti treasured Isco and held the former Malaga attacking midfielder in high regard but Isco is growing in stature at Real, kick-starting the flowing attack which culminated in Real's third. The Spaniard departed to a warm embrace from Ancelotti and an appreciative ovation from the Real support.

#3 Luis Suarez should not have started the Clasico

Luis Suarez failed to reproduce his magic at Liverpool in Saturday’s Clasico

Luis Suarez was largely subdued, showing Enrique was wrong to throw him into a game of such a ferocious intensity after a couple of matches for Barcelona B.

Suarez was never ready. Returning from a four month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the FIFA World Cup, the Uruguayan struggled to contend with the tempo of this enthralling Clasico, performing inefficiently in the core of Barca's front three, winged by Neymar and Messi. The Uruguayan did at times combine cohesively with his attacking partners, Neymar and Suarez, but failed to replicate the magic which so often graced Liverpool last season.

Suarez will deliver in Catalonia, but not instantly.

#4 Claudio Bravo shows worth for No 1 honour at Barca

Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo laid down a marker in his bid to secure the number one jersey

The fight for the Barcelona number one jersey will be intense this season, between Claudio Bravo and Andre Ter-Stegen, and Chile stopper Bravo laid down a marker at the Bernabeu. Bravo, acquired from Real Sociedad in the summer after excelling for Chile at the World Cup, was in exceptional form, producing an outstanding acrobatic double save to brilliantly thwart Karim Benzema early in this Clasico and also a drilled strike from Cristiano Ronaldo.

#5 Cristiano Ronaldo steals limelight from Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo was key to Real Madrid’s victory

Ronaldo out-shone Lionel Messi, the Portuguese winger spearheading Real's supremacy. He was a constant menace, scoring one from the penalty spot and playing a key role in Real's crucial victory here.

The debate between the world’s two principal stars, Ronaldo and Messi, was reignited at the Santiago Bernabeu and Ronaldo came up trumps. Messi struggled in the deeper role assigned by Barca manager Luis Enrique.

The Portuguese winger was deployed on the left of Real’s attacking trio in support of Benzema, with Ronaldo granted a licence to roam the final third. His penalty was cool and composed amid the ferocity of the Clasico.

Edited by Staff Editor