El Clasico: Five talking points

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (L) vies for the ball with Real Madrid’s Pepe (R) during the Spanish league Clasico match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

The first El Clasico of the 2013-14 La Liga Campaign went to the home side Barcelona as they ran out a comfortable 2-1 winners over ferocious rivals Real Madrid. The result meant the home side went six points ahead of the Los Blancos and four above second place Atletico Madrid, albeit playing a game more. Though the match however didn’t live up to the standards we often expect to generate, but for new manager Tata Martino, it was a remainder of what he possesses in his armoury, whereas it’s back to the drawing board for Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.

So here are the five talking points from the game:

Martino vs Ancelotti – Team Selection

Well, the last time a Carlo Ancelotti side faced Barcelona was when he was in charge of PSG last season in the Champions League. I still remember how he used Lucas Moura, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to counter Barca’s defence. Unfortunately, and hugely surprisingly, he didn’t start with a striker preferring Bale, Ronaldo and Di Maria in the advanced roles. Also Ancelotti decided to play Sergio Ramos in the CDM role which didn’t work out.

It wasn’t until Benzema was introduced in the second half that the Barca defence was put under severe pressure with the French International striking the post with a ferocious drive. As for Martino, the team selection was spot on and being the disciple of Marcelo Bielsa, his team pressed Real Madrid to death unsettling them time and again.

Sergio Ramos in defensive midfield

The move was designed by Ancelotti to hold out the trio of Busquests, Xavi and Iniesta in the centre of the park and link Ronaldo and Bale up front. Yes, we have seen a central defender being used as a CDM in recent times, with Rafa Benitez using David Luiz in that role when he was in charge of Chelsea last season.

However, Ramos was unsure of his position and looked uncomfortable early on into the match. He brought down Iniesta, earned a yellow, was chasing shadows till he was substituted for the incoming Illaramendi. A player of Ramos’ stature ought to have read the game better than he did.

Gareth Bale and Neymar: Battle of the two new signings

This was quite a contest everyone was willing to watch as how it would unfold. Unfortunately, it was one sided from the beginning till the end. Bale looked like being overwhelmed by the stage failing to justify his price tag, Neymar, though was sublime. The Brazilian’s pace and trickery with his guile and movements off the ball was quite a sight and what better than capping his first Clasico with the opening goal. Bale though, was completely a shadow of his former self, having a shocker till he was subbed off at the hour mark.

Barcelona’s Neymar celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid.

Barca Dominate, Valdes shows character

Apart from Jese Rodriguez’s consolation, Real would be wondering on how to get past Victor Valdes. The Blaugrana goalkeeper was in superb form as he made two outstanding saves to deny Ronaldo and a flick on in the first half. His distribution was exquisite and looked great in the air leaping for balls with astonishing calmness.

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez grabs his place in the Barca starting line-up while the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi looking untouchable, though the Argentine would be disappointed not to have been on the score sheet. Not for Alexis Sanches though, the Chilean came off the bench and secured the points with a wonder chip past Diego Lopez in goal.

As the commentator would have it, “The former Udinese man provides an audacious finish with the world watching. He receives the ball high up the pitch and finds himself one-on-one with centre-back Varane. He turns him one way, then the other, to allow himself some room. He then chips the ball from outside the box over Diego Lopez. He was hardly off his line. Outrageous!”