Barcelona 0-0 Real Madrid: 5 hits and flops as El Clasico ends in a goalless draw

It was not quite the showcase which fans were expecting as the latest edition of the El Clasico ended in a goalless draw at the Camp Nou. First placed Barcelona hosted bitter rivals and second-placed Real Madrid in one of football's most awaited clashes of the season, and nothing could separate the two teams at the end of the game.

The first half was an exciting affair despite the lack of goals as both teams got close with Real Madrid dominating the Catalan club more. The second half proved to be a more unsavoury performance from both sides as neither team could find the correct pass in the final third.

Both the teams had several chances in front of goal, but ultimately failed to convert anything. Zinedine Zidane will leave as the happier manager due to his team's grit in an away game, while Ernesto Valverde remains defeatless against Real Madrid on seven occasions now.

Here are the hits and flops from this game which saw both the teams share one point.

5. Hit - Casemiro

The defensive midfielder was on top form tonight

Casemiro's vital tackle in stoppage time to deny Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi a chance to get in front of goal summarised the midfielder's game - he operated in the spaces close by to the Barcelona attack and was largely successful in letting them get past him throughout the game.

The defensive midfielder had a game-high 5 successful tackles, alongside one interception and one clearance. Casemiro's importance in this Real Madrid team cannot be understated, as he helps break down opposition attacks before they even began and he was at the top of his game tonight. The Barcelona midfielders had a tough time against the Brazilian, and his vital tackles ensured that Madrid was not exposed to Barca's pace on the counter.

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4. Flop - Antoine Greizmann

It was an off day for the former Atletico Madrid player

To be fair, Antoine Greizmann's bad game was not his fault alone - the player was deployed across almost every position in the final third of the pitch throughout the game and he often seemed isolated as he could not receive a proper pass from his teammates.

The French international was able to complete one key pass, but he lost the ball a couple of times by his own mistake and was unable to trouble the Real Madrid defence. Greizmann attempted only 37 passes throughout the game and was substituted off for teenager Ansu Fati near the end of the game.

The World Cup winner will be hoping to bounce back from his first Clasico match as his team has one more game to play before the La Liga winter break.

3. Hit - Federico Valverde

The El Clasico is a fixture where players announce themselves on the big stage, and Federico Valverde did just that tonight. The young midfielder was arguably Madrid's most explosive player today and he had a game to remember.

The player completed over 90% of his passes and took 3 shots, out of which one troubled goalkeeper Ter Stegen. Valverde also completed both of his two attempted long balls and created one big chance for his teammates. Although he was substituted off in the 79th minute, the Uruguayan international was solid on the ball and his movement across the pitch was a thing to admire today as he shone brightly in this star-studded fixture.

2. Flop - Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez this season has been an on and off player - when he is good, he is really good, but when he is bad, he is horrific. Today was a bad day in the office for Suarez, who contributed nothing of significance for the Barcelona attack and often looked isolated upfront as he cut a frustrating figure.

Suarez attempted just 30 passes and completed merely 70% of them. Although the striker had 3 shots, none of them troubled Thibaut Courtois and he missed a great chance which could have put Barcelona up early on in the game. Suarez got booked for a foul and lost the ball the most times today. Overall, it was a bad showing by the forward who usually performs in big games.

1. Hit - Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Ter Stegen was his usual, consistent self yet again

Barring Lionel Messi, no Barcelona player has been as consistent and as good as Marc-Andre Ter Stegen since the start of last season. Today, it was another fantastic display by the German shot-stopper who has become a wall for the Catalan club.

Although the keeper had to make only 3 saves, they were three big saves from powerful shots by the Real Madrid players. Ter Stegen parried Casemiro's long ranger and Valverde's rocket hit, and the ball never left his grasp once he collected it. Even though this was a 0-0 game, Madrid was by far the more threatening side but the goalkeeper was equal to their talent.

Ter Stegen's distribution was also good, as he received more touches of the ball than the likes of Suarez and Greizmann, and he was able to produce 5 accurate long balls which kickstarted the Barcelona offence. When the Catalan club does not score, they can be assured of at least one point on most occasions due to the brilliance of their keeper, who proved today why is he is arguably the best in the world at his position.

Also read - 5 best individual El Clasico performances

Edited by Sai Teja