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A perfect Christmas gift for Barcelona! Barcelona beat Real Madrid by three goals to nil in the El-Clasico. There was everything in this match: skills, tackles, fouls, aggression, and emotions. The first half was completely dominated by Real Madrid but Madrid failed to take the advantage and then in second half Barcelona showed their class and ran out as comfortable 3-0 victors in the end.
So, let us look at the best combined 11 Barcelona and Real Madrid, post the memorable Clasico:
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Goalkeeper)
Today, both Navas and Stegen were in great form. Navas made 8 saves while Stegen making 5. But only Ter-Stegen was successful in keeping a clean sheet for his team. He seemed impenetrable today. He saved the day for Barcelona by saving goalbound efforts of Bale and Ramos in the second half.
Marcelo (left-back)
He, as always, gave all his all to the team. He created as many as 4 chances (second to Messi). He passed, tackled, crossed, and dribbled but in the end, it was just not his day. He beautifully picked Benzema with one of his crosses, but the Frenchman could only strike the post in the end.
Sergio Roberto (Right-back)
He is not a natural right back but he played like a one. His passing accuracy in the final third was more than 90% and he had a total of 5 successful takeons. (second only to Messi). He assisted the first goal and contributed actively to the other 2 goals.
Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen (Centre-backs)
They looked a bit shaky in the first half but their performance proved to be absolutely perfect in the second half. They frustrated Real Madrid by blocking many crosses and crucial passes in the final third. One notable occasion was when Pique's tackle saved Ronaldo getting one on one with Ter-Stegen.
Sergio Busquets (Central defensive-midfielder)
He is the backbone of this Barcelona team. Always seemed calm when on the ball and released the ball at the right moment to the right man. As mentioned by the commentator, "50% of the credit for the first goal goes to Busquets", and rightly so. He kept the possession under pressure deep in his own half and then realised a brilliant ball to Rakitic who passed to Sergi Roberto which was finally finished off by Luis Suarez.
Toni Kroos (Central midfielder)
Made brilliant runs in the first half. Provided the most number of successful crosses but the finishing from Real Madrid forwards was not up to the mark. He also made the most number of successful tackles, overall.
Luka Modric (Central midfielder)
Again a player who gives his all until the last minute of the game. He was dominating the possession and bossing the midfield in the first half. In the second half, he helped his team with his defensive ability and tried his best for Madrid. Overall he had around 85% passing accuracy in the final third.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Left winger)
His work rate was great in this match, especially in the first half. He made a brilliant run taking on Barca's defenders from the left side and smashed a great shot on target, saved by Ter Stegen. He also created chances for Benzema and Ramos in the first and second half respectively, but they failed to convert those chances. He was unlucky to not get on the scoresheet himself.
Lionel Messi (Right winger)
Didn't do much in the first half but came back strongly in the second half. He converted the penalty and doubled the lead for his team. He then went on to assist the 3rd goal to Alex Vidal to wrap up the game. Apart from this, he created the most number of chances and the most number of successful takeons. He was undoubtedly the best player in this game.
Luis Suarez (Centre forward)
He was the lone player forward for Barcelona in the first half and created some problems for Madrid's defence. In the second half he opened the scoring and after that, there was no coming back for Madrid. His several efforts were nullified by the brilliance of Navas, one of which eventually led to the penalty which Lionel Messi duly converted.
Final team (4-3-3)
Ter-Stegen, Marcelo, Pique, Vermalean, Sergi Roberto, Busquets, Modric, Kroos, Ronaldo, Messi and Suarez
Bench: Navas, Iniesta, Paulinho, Alba, Vidal, Kovacic
