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Barcelona edged out Real Madrid for the second time in a week as the Blaugrana extended their lead at the perch of the table to 10 points.
The game started off on a frantic note with both sides biting into challenges. However, the hosts enjoyed the better of the exchanges as they put the visitors under pressure with their slick passing.
As the clocked ticked by, Barcelona established more control in the middle third and went ahead in the 26th-minute courtesy Ivan Rakitic. The Croatian was sent through after Sergi Roberto played a perfect slide-rule pass from the right flank. The former applied the finishing touches as he dinked the ball superbly over an onrushing Thibaut Courtois.
The second half assumed a pattern similar to the first period with the home side trying to carve open the away side’s defence. However, nothing materialised and Real Madrid were left exasperated as Barcelona recorded their 3rd El Clasico triumph of the season.
Here is a look at three factors that contributed to the visitors’ victory:
#3. Barcelona’s defence stands tall
Barcelona decided to tweak their defence slightly for the Clasico on Saturday. While Nelson Semedo had started the game in mid-week, Roberto was given the nod at the weekend. Ernesto Valverde was vindicated in his decision as the Spaniard turned in an accomplished display.
Apart from Roberto, Jordi Alba was at his marauding best down the other wing with the left-back putting in another solid performance.
However, Barcelona’s best players on the night were Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet. The pair looked unfazed throughout the game and barely allowed Karim Benzema a sniff at goal. The duo found itself in the right position at the right time with Lenglet making 4 blocks and Pique notching three blocks.
Moreover, the partnership snuffed out danger expertly and effected 22 clearances between them. (14 for Pique, 8 for Lenglet)
With the away side defending so stoutly, the hosts were forced to track backward and try their luck from distance, effectively playing into the visitors’ hands.
At the start of the season, several question marks had been raised regarding Barcelona’s rear-guard. Yet, on Saturday, they answered those doubters with a stupendous defensive display.
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#2. Another night, another toothless Real Madrid attacking performance
On Wednesday, Real Madrid were caught out by the proverbial sucker punch as they lost 3-0 to Barcelona despite being on top for the majority of the game. Unfortunately, it wasn’t too different on Saturday.
The Los Blancos started off well and their approach play looked quicker. However, as the game progressed, the hosts failed to make any inroads and they never dragged the defence into uncomfortable areas. Additionally, there were only a handful of situations where Real Madrid exploited the space in-behind Barcelona’s back-line.
Moreover, their flair players failed to turn up with Gareth Bale producing another woeful night of football.
Legend says that the winger played more than an hour at the Santiago Bernabeu yet one could be forgiven to ask if he was on the pitch at all. The Welshman achieved a grand total of 14 touches during the course of his stay and also endured whistles and jeers when subbed off.
Over the past few seasons, there have been similar nights when Real Madrid has failed to get going. Yet, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo came up more often than not. With the Portuguese no longer at their disposal, they are coming unstuck when such conundrums rear themselves.
However, a club like Real Madrid can surely not dwell on its past for if they fail to devise a new method to achieve success, they would not only jeopardise the current term but also compromise the seasons to come.
#1. Barcelona’s game management wins the day
In the Copa Del Rey, Barcelona was second best for a major chunk of the game. Yet, they showcased machine-like efficiency to gobble up their chances and put the result beyond doubt.
In the Clasico on Saturday, that trait came to the fore again as the visitors scripted a fourth consecutive La Liga victory at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid enjoyed a lot of the ball and tried to ruffle Barcelona’s feathers through swift passing passages. However, the away side was content to ride the wave and wait for their opportunity to pounce.
One such opening arrived in the 26th minute and Rakitic clinically punished the hosts.
Apart from the goal, the visitors patiently pushed and probed without ever going too gung-ho and leaving themselves exposed at the back, thus highlighting that the infamous night in Rome in April 2018 was only an anomaly.
By no means did Barcelona produce one of their vintage displays on Saturday evening. Yet, they did what was necessary to emerge with the three points. After all, that is the hallmark of champions: the ability to win ugly.
And when you win ugly at Real Madrid for the second game running, you know that you’re doing something right.
