Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: 5 talking points as Los Blancos complete historic double | La Liga 2020-21

#3 Fede Valverde and Vinicius Jr. justify their selection

Real Madrid v FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander

Given Marco Asensio's recent form of late, it was perhaps surprising that Zinedine Zidane opted to select Fede Valverde out wide on the right. Yet the Uruguayan midfielder justified his selection, with a superb run for the opening goal, leading Madrid's press throughout the first half.

In a similar vein, Vinicius Jr. was Los Blancos' best threat tonight. The Brazilian troubled Oscar Mingueza throughout, twisting him all ends up multiple times and beating him for pace with ease. He was perhaps a bit too unselfish at times, and really ought to have scored tonight.

Óscar Mingueza had never been dribbled past more than once in a LaLiga game for Barcelona before this evening.He has already been dribbled past three times vs. Real Madrid inside the first 30 minutes. https://t.co/jXmsoFM10L

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 10, 2021

Once the pair went off, Barcelona found a route back into the game, so it will not surprise anyone if Zidane opts to start with the same front three against Liverpool.

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#4 Zinedine Zidane won the tactical battle against Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman has yet to beat Zinedine Zidane

For a manager who's been derided multiple times as 'lucky', just a 'man-manager' and not a tactician, it's quite revelatory just how often Zinedine Zidane ends up winning the tactical battle in the big games.

The setup was unlike anything Real Madrid have played recently, a low 5-4-1 block that transformed into a 4-3-3 on the counter. Zidane realized Barcelona's defenders were there for the taking, and with Luka Modric supplying delicious through balls to Vinicius Jr, there was only going to be one outcome.

The low block also served to thwart the threat of Messi without leaving Casemiro alone to do the dirty work, although the Brazilian undid all that good work with a manic final minute to get sent off. Even as Zidane made questionable substitutions, Madrid always looked like scoring.

Indeed this could have been a far more comfortable win, with Ronald Koeman not having much of an answer to his counterpart's tactical nous.

🇪🇸 Real Madrid have done the double over Barcelona in La Liga for the first time in 13 years⏪ The score was 4-1 back in May 2008 and there were some decent goalscorers...⚪️ 12' Raul⚪️ 20' Robben⚪️ 64' Higuain⚪️ 79' Van Nistelrooy🔵 87' Henry#ElClasico pic.twitter.com/Wn2xwEJFr8

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 10, 2021

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#5 Bad omens for Barcelona in La Liga's title race

Ronald Koeman had his disagreements with the referees tonight

Prior to the game, Ronald Koeman insisted that even a loss for Barcelona would not affect their chances of lifting the La Liga trophy come the end of the season. However, what ought to concern the Dutchman is that Barcelona have never won the league when Real Madrid have done the double over them.

Koeman and Gerard Pique were quick to remonstrate with the referee once the final whistle blew, voicing their frustration at Martin Brathwaite's penalty shout, that if given, would have been quite generous. Perhaps the duo would be better off focusing on the fact that Barcelona have not lost three Clasicos since 1978.

The Blaugrana came into this game having won their last nine away games, and were bang in form. There is a danger of their season unraveling if Koeman is unable to bring the focus back to football as opposed to any perceived refereeing issues.

Barcelona are still only a point behind their rivals, but Real Madrid look quite unlikely to falter. Atletico Madrid are still in the race, and this three-way battle could go all the way to the final day.