El Clasico: Barcelona 2–1 Real Madrid

Neymar played superbly in his first Clasico

Unlike the previous few seasons, it had been quite a while since we had our last ‘El Clasico’. A lot had changed, too, for both clubs with new managers and new players to boast, a refreshing change if I may say so.

Tata Martino v. Carlo Ancelotti, Neymar v. Bale, Messi v. Ronaldo, it was all on stage on the biggest show on the planet. Barca were coming into the game on the back of a near perfect start to their season with 25 points off a possible 27 in their 9 games, while Real Madrid got a neat 22 points off their first 9 games.

However, for the coming 90-odd minutes, the footballing world was going to focus their attentions at the Nou Camp, to witness the great eternal rivalry of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and the new money-boys – Neymar Jr. & Gareth Bale.

Barca began with a nearly predicted line-up in Valdes-Adriano-Pique-Mascherano-Alves-Busquests-Fabregas-Xavi-Iniesta-Messi. Carlo’s Madrid on the other hand went for the untested line-up of Diego Lopez-Marcelo-Pepe-Varane-Carvajal-Ramos-Khedira-Modric-Di Maria-Ronaldo-Bale. Ramos playing in an unfamiliar role in the Madrid centre-midfield.

Barca started off on the brighter note with the greater share of possession and more of the play coming from the feet of the Barca players. They passed the ball better, moved it around better, found their team mates better, pressed better, and overall seemed to know what the plan was; all of which was lacking in the all-white Real Madrid.

With Bale in the line-up, Ronaldo and Bale took turns as the false 9, the end – result being neither of whom was as effective as anyone would have hoped. This is not to say that Barca dominated. By no means did Barca dominate the game. A silky Iniesta run found an unmarked Neymar, who cut-back onto his right foot and placed one into the far corner leaving the hapless Diego Lopez just watching. It probably took a deflection off the defender (Carvajal), but it was a mix of a lost Madrid and a prepared Barca that found the ball in the back of the Real goal.

Once that goal was conceded, it seemed that Real had finally started to get into the game. They began to press higher up the pitch and show the necessary aggression dispossessing Barca as they slowly tried to claw their way into the game. Even Gareth Bale showed a few glimpses of what we might expect from him in the coming months with a couple of his trademark runs, driving at the opposition, cutting in from the right and creating shooting angles for himself.

But it seemed like it had been a while since Bale had been at it, and his rustiness was getting apparent as his shots were a little wayward and his touches were not really upto the mark that you would expect from the world’s most expensive player. Real Madrid, however, kept pushing, unable to create any real clear cut chance to score though. It was more or less the case with both sides, dispossessing the other, but unable to really worry the opposition goalie.

The second half, however, was a completely different ball game. Real Madrid had clearly upped a gear and were looking more threatening to get an equalizer. They were more aggressive, pushing higher and clearly showing their desire to want more of the ball. The lack of another pure, out-and-out midfielder was becoming evident as Madrid huffed and puffed and pushed Barca into their own half.

Bale’s Clasico came to an end as he was substituted around the 60th minute for Karim Benzema who immediately added a new dynamic to the Real Madrid attack. Madrid seemed more familiar to their expected task with Benzema on the pitch. ‘That’ moment seemed to arrive when Cristiano Ronaldo was denied a penalty for what appeared to be a clear shove by Mascherano on the Real favourite inside the penalty box only for the protesting former World Player of the Year to be bluntly turned down by the Referee.

Replays, however, might show otherwise. Benzema also seemed turned on in his substitute role as he hit the woodwork with 15 minutes to spare. Real Madrid were knocking as they pressed and attacked, trying to find a way through the Barca defense. Jese Rodriguez was brought on for Angel Di Maria, who was not having his best game, and Alexis Sanchez came on for Andres Iniesta.

For all the Madrid aggression and attack shown in the second half, it was Barca who broke the deadlock once more, this time through sub Alexi Sanchez. Running at the defense, he picked out a slightly off-the-line Lopez and placed a perfect lob over the Madrid goalie finding the back of the net with an absolute peach of a goal giving Barca a 2-goal cushion and almost sealing the win.

Andres Iniesta (L) vies with Luka Modric

Asier Illaramendi was also brought on to replace the yellow carded Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos, and slotted into the centre of midfield. Ancellotti might consider the possible ill-effect of the ‘Ramos experiment’ in midfield seeingg the added dynamic Illara brought. He certainly added more to the Madrid attack as they pinned Barca into their half for the final 10-odd minutes. Madrid finally got a goal through Jese fed by a Ronaldo assist, but it was all left a little too late by the 90th minute.

Barca played smart for the final 3 minutes of injury time, killing time and ensured their deserved victory in the first Clasico of the 13-14 season.

World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi had an unusually subdued game by his extremely high standards, but then, that is one of the reasons why Barcelona FC invested heavily in bringing Neymar into their fold. Neymar showed his ability to the Madridistas today with his skill on the ball, his passing vision and the simple fact that it wasn’t just Messi that you would have to deal with now. There is a new kid in town, and HE is good!

The first Barca goal was set up brilliantly by the ever-brilliant genius of Iniesta, but, Neymar had his role to play as he took on the Madrid defense, cut back on to his preferred right foot and perfectly found the far corner of the Madrid goal through a bevy of Madrid defenders. The second Barca goal was masterclass from the on-off and unpredictable Alexis Sanchez, as he lobbed a perfect, pin-point chip over the Madrid goalie, Diego Lopez to find the back of the net. Wonder what a certain Iker Casillas might have to say to that?

The Madrid record-breaking transfer, Bale, on the other hand, had another quite, not so impactful game. He did have a few moments where he leaked bits of his class to the world watching but it all remained as just anticipation, as he could only manage a few wayward shots at Victor Valdes’ largely untested goal.

Many would say that it was probably a bit too early to give Bale a start, let alone for an El Clasico, considering how he is still getting back to full fitness and playing time is never easy to come by in Real Madrid, to waste on sub-dued and below par performances, especially against your greatest foe. It may also be questioned as to why Ancelloti started with Ramos in the centre of midfield, and why Isco was not given a look-in at any point. However, it must also be noted that, apart from the Alexi goal, it was pretty much all Real Madrid in the second half. It was a much better showing, a much better performance and lot of positives that Los Blancos can take from their showing in the second half.

They might have lost the first El Clasico of the season 2-1 to their eternal rivals Barcelona, but if the second half was any sign of the things to come, Real Madrid would only get better from here. Ancelloti, given some time to work his skills in making the team work and shaping them to play as he visualizes them playing, might make for a much more formidable and tougher opposition the next time El Clasico comes around. Bale should also probably be given a lenient let-off being his first Clasico.

Anyone remember what happened in Mourinho’s first few Clasicos? Considering all that, Madrid definitely put up a good showing. Given the penaly decision, they almost got a point off the game and all-in-all put up a decent fight. No roll-over this one. Barca, too, would obviously improve under Tata’s guidance making it a very exciting season building up to the next Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Plus, lets not discount Atletico, shall we? They are right up there, and not really showing any real signs of vulnerability in terms of lasting out a season.

Being a thorough Madrid fan myself, I hope my bias wasn’t obvious. As for the remaining La Liga season, Hala Madrid!