FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid - El Clasico Round up - October 28, 2018

FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid - 

El Clasico Round up 

Does this match really need a review?

It was a match between the supposedly one-man team (minus that one man) taking on the best club of Europe. They boasted of the best players in the planet including this year’s so-called best of the best. Even with the home ground advantage of Barca, Real Madrid (despite their awful La Liga form) were expected to give FC Barcelona a tough fight. It was the match that would have salvaged coach Lopetegui some respite.

Except for the initial 20 minutes of the 2^nd half, where Madrid were cohesive and threatened regularly, it was an insipid and awful performance from the UCL holders. They were listless, careless and aimless; giving the balls away and finishing poorly.  

During those bright 20 minutes, Marcelo scored a goal, Modric hit the woodwork and Benzema missed a sitter (that’s never a surprise). But again, when faced with further setbacks, there was neither any action nor reaction except for a sense of giving up.

On the other hand, Barca were without Messi and Iniesta in a clasico, after a long time. The FC Barcelona team was bent on proving themselves, in front of an adoring home crowd. They stood strong and played with confidence. They did not let any set back affect them during the course of the game.

Even during the immense pressure in the first part of the 2^nd half, when Real Madrid did fantastically well and despite conceding, the Barca defenders carried on with determination.  The midfield stayed calm and worked tirelessly while Luis Suarez was into one of his crazy modes and was ramming into everything.

The thumping clasico win had the Barca fans go delirious. But lets remember one thing - This was one of the most lop-sided clasicos of recent times with Real Madrid buckling under pressure, whenever they were threatened. Also Barcelona looked very fragile when Madrid played well and attacked, briefly, in the 2^nd half.

This season, both Ramos and Pique, the main defenders of the two clubs, had been struggling with their form and consistently poor. But a determined Pique had managed to pull himself up and had forged a good understanding with young Lenglet in the absence of the injured Umtiti and Vermaelen.  Ramos was nowhere near his best and looked isolated as he and Varane committed too many mistakes.

For Madrid,  Isco, Modric and Vasquez  looked good in parts while the hard working Marcelo cut a sorry figure as his team mates failed to capitalize from his moves. Sadly a tearful Marcelo had to be subbed off due to injury. Casemiro looked lost while Kroos was invisible.  For Barca, Arthur, Busquets and Rakitic commanded the midfield with patience, creativity and skill. 

In attack Coutinho and Luis Suarez threatened constantly. Later Suarez, Dembele and Roberto got into their groove as the attacking trio. Madrid's attack was restricted to Benzema while Bale was given a ridiculous role by his coach. 

While Benzema started off well for Madrid his season, his form had dipped and goals had dried up. He had been ineffective and had contributed very little to his struggling team. For Barca a misfiring Luis Suarez had contributed in every way possible despite missing a number of scoring chances. And with time he has regained his form as a striker as well. Lopetegui has not utilized Bale well and as a result Real are not scoring much.

There is not much to say about Lopetegui who is one of the main reason why Real Madrid is in such a mess. His team had miserably failed to back his strategies. His positioning of players have misfired badly and his time at Real Madrid is well and truly up.  He left Spain in shambles during the World Cup thanks to Real Madrid and he in turn leaves Real Madrid in total chaos.

Under Valverde, the present Barcelona team is growing into an exotic sandwich of South American creativity and European solidity. While the lethal attack is led by South Americans, the magnificent midfield is a wonderful mix of both and the defense has a strong European flavour.  

I am not adding anything more except that FC Barcelona deserved the 5-1 victory over a pathetic Real Madrid and proved something else in the process – FC Barcelona is not a one-man team. But Real Madrid ? I leave that to you, to decide.

Instead of a proper review,  I am going to write about every one of the Barcelona players who contributed immensely to the incredible win.

Ter Stegen: He was not tested much. But he was up to the task whenever the situation demanded and did not waver. The German Wall was breached only once.

Gerard Pique: He has been in inspired form, since Messi’s injury. He had stepped it up several notches and had carried on bravely, despite taking some heavy knocks.

Lenglet – There was the pressure of being in his first Clasico. But the young man was cool as a cucumber and went about his job in the most disciplined manner. He managed to shackle Benzema effectively.

The duo of Pique and Lenglet put on a strong performance and gave Roberto and Alba the confidence to run riot in attack. Both the defenders could have scored but failed. Hope they improve this one aspect of their game.

Rakitic and Busquets – These two had become inseparable when it came to quality and solidity. They were the fulcrum of the entire team - be it midfield, defense or offense, they were everywhere. That chip from Rakitic to Alba which resulted in the first goal was sublime. Busquets was impactful in every way.

Arthur – Another young debutant who dealt with the pressures of his first Clasico with maturity and composure.  Just lost for words as he controlled the midfield beautifully sending long and short passes at will, connecting every player on the field. With the duo of Rakitic and Busquets supporting him well, the Brazilian gave one of his most imperious performances till date in Barcelona colours. He could also have been on the scoresheet if not for Courtois’s awesome save. I am sure he would go on to become a legend in his own right. 

(Messi was spot-on when he claimed at the start of the season that he saw glimpses of Xavi in Arthur. Though he has a long way to go, Arthur has started on the right note.)

Rafinha – He was the least effective player of the night as he was unable to push himself up. Looked like he was hampered by some injury. But he ensured that he did not cost the team too much which was commendable.

Sergi Roberto – He had one of the best outings of this season, doing exactly what Valverde had asked. After returning from injury, Roberto had been brilliant. He continued his sizzling form and constantly troubled the opposition with some fantastic runs on the right.  He was strong in defense never letting the likes of Marcelo and Benzema to counter. Once Arthur was substituted and Semedo came in, he slipped into the midfield with ease and did equally well. His crosses to Suarez were inch perfect. Overall it was a magnificent performance from Sergi that truly showcased La Masia’s quality.

Alba – The diminutive Jordi Alba was one of the most effective players of the night. With tremendous energy and awareness, he ran riot on the wide left and gave Bale a nightmarish time (why was Bale given the job to mark Alba when he was their best bet as an attacker). He outran and outclassed the most expensive Real Madrid player with elan. He took his time and gave a fantastic assist to Coutinho and should have been on the score sheet too. A flawless and fighting display from the little lightning who showed that heart matters more than size.

Coutinho – The little Barzilian dynamite was a willing ally to Luis Suarez and they gave the Real Madrid defenders a tough time. He was all over them and scored the first goal with a cool head. He was involved in a number of attacks as he linked well with the midfield trio of Arthur, Busquets and Rakitic. He kept the attacks compact with his darting runs and freed up Alba. He put on a wonderful show that was well appreciated.

Luis Suarez – Luis Suarez had led the team from the front in the past 3 games. If any player is woefully out of form, they should watch the way Suarez had worked his way into form at Barcelona, during the past two years. While he had not been scoring well, his work rate was amazing and his assists were truly jaw dropping. Now that he has started to score, his confidence is sky high. He does have a willing bunch of team mates who help him out. His wonderful hattrick paved the way for Barcelona to a well-earned victory.

Dembele – He came in for Coutinho in the 2^nd half and had an immediate effect on the game. His sudden sprints gave poor Nacho a terrible time. He gave Barcelona an additional edge as the tiring  Madrid defense failed to keep up with the Frenchman. He looked and played with determination. Thankfully he was not given too much time or space by Nacho and the rest. It forced him to go by his instincts. His 2 fantastic crosses resulted in goals by Suarez and Arturo Vidal. Hope Dembele goes more by his instincts rather than overthinking and taking wrong decisions.

Semedo - Semedo came in for Rafinha and replaced Sergi as the Right Back. He had a good outing but missed a sitter.

Arturo Vidal - He was the last substitute who came in for Arthur. He had been frustrated by the lack of playing time and it was obvious that the Chilean wanted to impress. Dembele’s super cross was met by the unmarked Vidal and he headed it in to make it an emphatic 5-1 win for FC Barcelona. It was a memorable clasico debut for the veteran.

Valverda: The calm Valverde had been under fire, for his late and odd changes, that often proved ineffective. But for EL Clasico, Valverde came in with a fantastic strategy, in the absence of Messi, which his team followed to the T. To play compact yet to free up Alba on the left was something that Real Madrid was unable to counter. Using the versatile Roberto in different positions proved to be a masterstroke. He needs to be commended for the effective substitutions that made it even more difficult for the struggling Madrid defense.

Though Luis Suarez deservedly grabbed the headlines for his memorable hattrick, I would give every Barca player and the coach a 10/10 for their impeccable show. 

While their magical moonlight was all smiles, hidden inside a hood, the night sky of Barcelona was adorned by 15 bright stars who lighted up the Camp Nou with their scintillating performance.

Image Credits - Google Images