Barcelona 2 - 2 Real Madrid: El Clasico 5 Talking Points

#1 Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo show just how important they are to their respective teams

The Two Kings

How does he do it? Leo Messi - did so little, yet did everything. He dropped down into the midfield once Barca got reduced to 10 men and ran the show from there... and every time he waddled forward, Madrid shivered.

That goal, a shimmy to take out Nacho, a feint to sell Ramos down the river, and that lovely curling shot - the one he's hit a thousand times, the one that everyone knows is coming, the one that Navas saw and could do nothing about - WOOF.

It's so evident that without Messi, Barcelona would be a shadow of the team they are.

What's less evident - for the uninitiated especially - is just how blunt Real Madrid are without Cristiano Ronaldo as the sharp point of their spear. With him on the pitch, every Madrid attack bristled with menace, every ball into the area was a potential goal. Without him, they looked predictable, easy to stop, less threatening.

What will happen to this game, this clash, this world when nos. 7 and 10 in a Clasico are not worn by Messrs Ronaldo and Messi... we saw a glimpse of it in the second half today and to tell you the truth... I feel a touch sad.

P.S. A word of appreciation to Keylor Navas - who was astoundingly good today - and Karim Benzema - who's running was as intelligent, and incessant, as ever.