El Clasico: 3 reasons why Barcelona beat Real Madrid

1. An all-round team performance

Everyone in the Barcelona team did their jobs well

No Messi? No problem. Step up everyone else!

Luis Suarez scored a hattrick and put in a memorable performance alongside Philippe Coutinho in the final third, ably assisted by a rock-solid midfield as well as impressive fullbacks.

Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto turned creators and also aided the midfield trio to shield their goal effectively.

The defence looked slightly suspect early in the second half where Los Blancos threatened a bit, following a change in formation and the introduction of Vasquez for Varane.

It was this change - to 3 at the back - that liberated Marcelo to get further up the pitch and yielded the visitors’ only goal. However, the initiative was well and truly wrested back in the centre of the pitch.

Arthur has been a find in the middle of the park and alongside him, Busquets, Rafinha and Rakitic linked up well with the defence as well as frontline to function as a well-oiled unit.

Marc Andre Ter Stegen had little of note to do in the first half and could not have stopped Marcelo’s belter from close range which was also slightly deflected in.

Every Barca player put in a performance worthy of their shirt in Messi’s absence as the Argentine watched on with pride and pleasure from the stands.