Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points | LaLiga 2019-20 

#1 Subdued performance from Lionel Messi

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

With 26 goals in El Clasico games, Lionel Messi is the greatest goalscorer in the history of this iconic fixture, while his 14 assists are also more than anyone else has managed.

The Argentine international is a veteran of many a Clasico and was appearing in his 44th meeting with Real Madrid but he could well have been making his debut, as it seemed the occasion got the better of him.

Messi's abilities are well-documented and he has decided this tie almost single-handedly numerous times in the past but his usual magic and brilliance was non-existent in this latest clash.

The Rosario native has almost turned the Bernabeu to his stomping ground, with 15 of his 26 goals against Los Merengues coming in their backyard but he gave a subdued performance and was nowhere near his blistering best.

Messi struggled to get a sniff of goal for the entirety of the match and missed two chances in the first half, shooting a tame shot at Courtois from a tight angle, while he should undoubtedly have done better when he found himself one-on-one with the Belgian goalkeeper in the 40th minute.

That was as good as it got for the Barcelona skipper, with Casemiro putting a number on him and ensuring that he did not get any space and Messi's frustrations seemingly got the better of him when he lashed out at Federico Valverde with a frustrated tackle that got a deserved yellow card late in the game.

A perfect summation of his off-colour performance was when he was played through in the 73rd minute but with Barcelona trailing, Marcelo somehow raced clear of the Argentine and made a perfect tackle that was given the loudest cheer by the Bernabeu.

He also had a poor delivery from a late freekick that saw Ter Stegen come into the box as the Catalans chased an equalizer.