European football: The Zeroes from this weekend's action

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti was left to rue his tactical error

King Carlo marked his first El Clasico with a tactical gaffe that handed the initiative to Barcelona. Ancelotti started with Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and Gareth Bale up front to put all of his attacking talent on the pitch.

But he made a mistake when he opted to play Pepe in central defence and Sergio Ramos as a defensive midfielder along with Sami Khedira and Luka Modric in central midfield.

The move resulted in Madrid’s front three being isolated and deprived of service as Barca’s trio of Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta took a stranglehold.

Things got better for Madrid in the second half when Ancelotti hauled off Ramos and replaced him with Asier Illaramendi, who offered Modric able support as they wrestled back some of the advantage from Barca. But the damage had already been done and Madrid were left to chase the game.

The absence of one Mesut O?zil loomed large on the evening.