El Clasico Player Ratings: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona

Barcelona

Barcelona move to the top of La Liga with the 4-0 win

Claudio Bravo – 8.5/10

A majestic display from the Barcelona goalkeeper, keeping out anything and everything that came his way. He didn’t have much to do in the first half but was called into action in the second, making an amazing 8 crucial saves through the course of the match. A thoroughly deserved clean sheet.

Dani Alves – 6.5/10

He could be guilty of theatrics, getting on the nerves of Madridistas, as he seemed to crumple to the ground at the slightest contact. He offered an outlet while attacking on the right, though, and did not shirk his defensive duties, tracking back to close down Real Madrid attacks.

Jordi Alba – 7.5/10

An immense showing in the first half where he linked up with Neymar brilliantly to run the Madrid defence ragged. He gave Danilo a torrid time and even tracked back to match Bale with his blistering pace while defending. He lost some steam as Barca started to take their foot off the pedal after the third goal but popped up at the right time to recieve Messi’s pass and direct it to Suarez for the fourth goal.

Gerard Pique – 7/10

Pique seems to relish playing against Madrid and looked the least bit fazed by the Madrid boo-boys who tried their best to get to him every time he had the ball. A trademark performance from the centre-back as he effortlessly closed down attacks and looked supremely confident on the ball.

He desperately wanted a goal at the Bernabeu, and would have probably got it had Munir not sent his shot wide. He was also lucky to escape a penalty for a handball in the box.

Gerard Pique was desperate to score a fifth goal

Javier Mascherano – 6.5/10

The Argentine was his usual self, breaking up play and intercepting balls before picking up an injury. He attempted to continue playing but had to be substituted for Jeremy Mathieumidway through the first half.

Sergio Busquets – 7.5/10

Madrid often left him with acres of space in the centre of the park, and you do not leave Sergio Busquets with that kind of space and time. He was at most times the instigator of Barcelona attacks, picking out attackers and setting them off while providing impressive cover for his defensive line.

Sergi Roberto – 7.5/10

Roberto was brilliant in the first half, causing Madrid plenty of problems with his penetrating runs and link-up play with the players ahead of him. One such diagonal surge led to Suarez’s opening goal, as he cut through the Madrid defence to set up the no.9 who finished emphatically. He was guilty of a poor touch while finishing when he skied a couple of shots that he should have at least got on target.

Ivan Rakitic – 6.5/10

Nothing really spectacular from the Croatian, but an efficient game nevertheless, constantly pressing the Madrid midfielders and forcing them into errors. Rakitic and Busquets were essential to Barca’s plan of breaking up play and initiating attacks.

Andres Iniesta put in an imperious performance for the Blaugrana

Andres Iniesta – 9/10

When Real Madrid fans give a Barcelona player a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu on being substituted, you know that it was something special. A master-class from one of the greatest midfielders of the generation saved his best for the big game.

He played with absolute confidence on the ball showing off the entire range of his passing skills; from pin point cross field passes, to perfectly timed through balls like the one that set up Neymar for the second goal. He also picked up a goal of his own to round off a beautiful move with a clinical finish. A special performance from a special player.

Neymar Jr. – 8.5/10

His link up play with Jordi Alba ripped Danilo to shreds in the first half, probably prompting Benitez to introduce Carvajal and shift Danilo to the other side. His link-up with the rest of the attack line was no less. He seems to be developing an almost telepathic understanding with Suarez, not to mention that both players are on top form at the moment. He doubled the lead in the first half, before playing an exquisite backheel pass to Iniesta to set him up for the third goal.

Luis Suarez – 8.5/10

Suarez would have most likely got a hat-trick at the Bernabeu if Barca hadn’t taken their foot off the pedal later in the second half. He was unlucky to not be awarded a penalty after being brought down by Ramos in the penalty area.

The Uruguayan was a thorn in the side of Los Blancos, constantly pressing while off the ball, even in the 90th minute, and linking up amazingly well with Neymar, Iniesta and Messi.

Neymar and Luis Suarez have scored 20 of Barcelona’s last 21 goals in La Liga

Substitutes

Jeremy Mathieu – 6/10

Solid enough after coming on early for Mascherano, but guilty of hacking at the ball without properly clearing it that almost gave Madrid a chance out of a botched cross. He didn’t have much to do, with Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema all seeming to have an off-day, and Busquets provided adequate cover.

Lionel Messi – 7.5/10

Messi returned after a two-month layoff but the game was already wrapped up at 3-0 by the time he came on. His teammates often seemed desperate to try and get him to score, often at the expense of a goal for themselves, but it was not to be.

His vision caused problems for Madrid though, as he sent in defence-splitting passes, notably the brilliant one that put Suarez through, only for his shot to be deflected wide, as well as the pass to Jordi Alba that created the fourth goal. He too had a couple of shots that were deflected wide.

Munir El Haddadi – 5.5/10

Munir failed to convert a couple of easy chances, skying one over the bar from a Neymar pass, and failing to get the next one on target from close range too, while he might have been better off leaving the ball to a waiting Pique who seemed desperate for a goal.