LaLiga 2018-19: 3 Things we learned from the El Clasico

The El Clasico, as always was billed as a battle of the titans and it didn’t disappoint. Contrary to the previous editions, today’s game was quite an end to end encounter with both teams not afraid to throw their punches. However, in the end, the score-line didn’t reflect a closely contested contest as Barcelona ran away rampantly with the game, scoring five in the process.

After a mid-season blip, Barcelona seem to have found their mojo again and were close to their best despite missing their talisman, Lionel Messi. They controlled the game in midfield and later picked Real Madrid off when Los Blancos were chasing the game.

Though everything seems rosy for the Blaugrana, the same can’t be said of Real Madrid. A 5-1 thrashing to Barcelona never goes down well with the Madrid hierarchy and one can expect a knee-jerk reaction from Florentino Perez.

The first installment of this season’s El Clasico was a thoroughly entertaining affair while also throwing light on some of the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams in question. Through this article, we would look at the three things we learned from the thrill a minute ride at the Camp Nou.

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#3 Real Madrid weren’t as bad as the scoreline suggests

Real Madrid should take heart from their performance

It is always hard to argue against a 5-1 score-line but Real Madrid could feel that today’s score didn’t actually reflect what went down in the game.

For 20 minutes in the second half, Real Madrid genuinely looked like turning the match on its head. Having conceded twice in the first half, the Los Blancos rushed out of the blocks after the break and quickly halved the deficit through Marcelo. A few minutes later, Modric hit the post and Benzema missed a gilt-edged opportunity. Had either of them gone in, the game would have assumed an altogether different perspective.

However, Suarez then landed the hammer blow and set the platform for their two goal salvo at the end. Once Real Madrid were chasing the game, it became easier for Barcelona to exploit the vast spaces Madrid left behind.

Real Madrid’s fightback was primarily led by their midfield with Toni Kroos and Isco acting as the protagonists. With Isco and Kroos in top gear, Real Madrid can hope to come back strongly into the title picture.

Additionally, Lopetegui’s tactical flexibility was also refreshing to see as his switch to a back three led to increased freedom for Vasquez and Marcelo. These signs were encouraging and if they can play to a similar level right from the outset, the glory days might not be far away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Though not many managers live to see the day after a 5-1 thrashing, evidence suggests that Lopetegui should be given one final bite at the cherry to redeem himself. A 5-1 score-line has cast storm clouds over the Bernabeu, but surely they aren’t as grey as the flattering score suggests.

#2 Arthur looks like the real deal

Arthur was sensational for Barcelona again

Another game and another sumptuous display by Barcelona’s summer recruit, Arthur. Having been likened to his legendary predecessor Xavi, the pressure has been on the Brazilian ever since he first stepped on to the pitch. However, the diminutive Brazilian has lived up to his billing every single time.

In the biggest match of his short Barcelona career, Arthur started off elegantly. He glided across the pitch, created space for himself and spread passes with laser-guided precision. At one point in time, he had made close to 30 passes without having misplaced any. Alongside Busquets, he kept the ball moving and recycled it with aplomb.

With him in midfield, the defenders always had a passing outlet. Moreover, his ability to make defenders gravitate towards him before whistling away, creates time and space for his teammates.

However, the biggest positive was the way he handled the pressure of his first Clasico. Despite being thrown into the deep end, Arthur emerged with his head held high. Though the comparisons to Xavi Hernandez are still a little premature, performances like this would only add fuel to the ‘Barcelona have found Xavi’s replacement’ fire.

With Barcelona not enjoying a lot of success with their traditional 4-3-3 this term, one can expect Arthur to get a long run of games. At this juncture, he looks like Barcelona’s best signing over the last couple of transfer windows.

And if he can be even half as good as the great Xavi, Barcelona would have on their hands a sparkling gem.

#1 Luis Suarez is still one of the best center-forwards in the game

Suarez is still one of the best going around

Last weekend, Barcelona beat Sevilla 4-2 to climb to the perch of the table. However, all the headlines were stolen by the arm injury suffered by Lionel Messi. With Messi out for a fortnight, the responsibility of carrying the team fell on Suarez’s shoulder. And boy, did he rise to the occasion.

There aren’t many sights better in world football than watching Suarez twist and turn defenders for fun. However, over the past few months, Suarez has been criticized for his lack of goals.

Though he has been a vital cog in Barcelona’s attacking wheel, the frequency of him making the net bulge, reduced considerably. On Sunday night, with the whole world watching, Suarez put all the criticism to bed as he conjured a magical hat-trick.

Although the goals would make the back pages of every leading daily, his performance was worth so much more. For the first goal, he made the decoy run which led to space for Coutinho to smash home whereas he won the penalty off Varane, before converting it himself.

In the second half, with Real Madrid putting Barcelona under the cosh, he represented the perfect ‘out-ball’ and held up play wonderfully.

These aspects show that those writing Suarez off, should do so at their own peril. On the biggest occasion of them all, Suarez silenced all his doubters and served a timely reminder of why he is one of the premier marksmen in the world.