Sunday saw Real Madrid go three points clear of Barcelona atop La Liga in a 3-1 victory in El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid's stars made the difference as Barcelona paid for their defensive mistakes despite the return of Jules Kounde.
Sergio Roberto was attacked early and often, and the Barcelona right-back gave Vinicius Junior too much space to start the match, leading to the first goal 12 minutes in. While Marc-Andre ter Stegen was there to stop his initial shot after the Brazilian was sent through, he parried it right into the path of Karim Benzema, who would score the opener on the rebound.
Federico Valverde would double the lead before the half after a superb shot from outside the box. It was a gift to Los Blancos after a mistake from Eric Garcia saw four Real Madrid attackers in space to pass and set up the goal that Valverde took with confidence.
Barcelona never threatened Real Madrid all that much until late aside from a Robert Lewandowski chance in the first half, missing from point-blank range on a sliding effort. Barca got a consolation goal from Ferran Torres before a near-equalizer from Ansu Fati, though the scoreline was closer than the game itself. Rodrygo then scored a penalty kick to complete the scoreline.
The win means Real remain undefeated on the season while Barca suffer their first league loss of the campaign.
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Here are a few takeaways from the match:
In matches of this magnitude, it's when a team expects their star strikers to get the job done. Carlo Ancelotti didn't need to wait long for Benzema to open the scoring showing why Real Madrid's star man is the favorite for the Ballon d'Or that will be awarded Monday (which you can watch on Paramount+). Benzema's opener was made by following the play to completion but he caused Barcelona trouble all match almost scoring a brace, but his second was ruled out due to being offside.
For Xavi, matches like El Clasico are why Barcelona upgraded from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Robert Lewandowski and while he helped bail them out against Inter Milan in Champions League with a brace, it was missed chances that made the difference in the match. Raphinha created an excellent chance for Lewandowski only 25 minutes in, but instead of driving the ball into the back of the net, it went over the bar as Real Madrid went on to score a goal only 10 minutes later. The miss was a turning point in the match and it could cost Barcelona the La Liga title when all is said and done at the end of the season.
While Barcelona has quite the injury list, they hurt themselves more than Real Madrid did. The opening goal was caused by Sergi Roberto being caught out, and while Busquets recognized that and tried to foul Toni Kroos, the challenge wasn't strong enough as Kroos found Vini Jr. to start the goal before Benzema finished the job.But that wasn't the biggest set of miscues as Eric Garcia had a match to forget. His turnover gifted Real Madrid their second goal, but it shouldn't be all on him as no one doubled back to stop Los Blancos. Vini Jr. got the ball on the edge of the box before Aurélien Tchouaméni had time to run up unmarked to then play the ball wide to Ferland Mendy who Barcelona also didn't pick up. To make matters worse, Mendy had the time to set up Valverde for an excellent shot from outside the box.
While one defensive issue started the break, Real Madrid had all the time in the world to make things happen in attack which is a team-wide breakdown. Garcia's day went from bad to worse as he also conceded a penalty to Rodrygo when Barcelona were pushing to get back into the game. While Gerard Pique was just as error-prone during Champions League play, it's crystal clear that Xavi still needs better defenders at his disposal if Barcelona are to hang with the top teams in the world.
While things couldn't have gone better for Real Madrid with them taking sole possession of first place in La Liga and also marching to the Champions League knockout rounds, Barcelona will need help in both areas. It's unlikely that Barca will advance to the last 16 of Champions League as things are in Inter's hands but they've also fallen victim to the Drake curse.
Barcelona were wearing Drakes' logo on their kit after he surpassed 50 billion streams on Spotify -- as the music streaming site sponsors Barca and their stadium.The four-time Grammy award winner has a history of teams or players who he is photographed with losing matches that include Paul Pogba and Manchester United, Wilfred Zaha, PSG, Conor McGregor and more. This latest installment could cost Barcelona the La Liga title if they can't get points off of Real Madrid in the reverse fixture at the Spotify Camp Nou in March.
It's now a three point gap atop the league as Los Blancos hand Barcelona their first defeat of the season. Real Madrid weren't at their best but goals from Benzema, Valverde, and Rodrygo saw the whole attack get involved while the defense did just enough to keep Barcelona at bay.
Rodrygo draws the penalty and slots it home. It didn't seem like one that should've been given after a slight touch from Garcia but it's how the cookie crumbles.
Rudiger, Asensio, and Rordrygo have all come on for Real Madrid to close the match out. Barcelona will want to take advantage of all the changes to get an equalizer but time isn't on their side.
Is the comeback on for Barcelona as an excellent interception from Gavi sets up Fati to cross the ball to Torres for the goal. Seven minutes left for Barcelona to draw level.
Tchouameni gave the ball away and Fati struck a shot from outside the box that was just wide right on Lunin's goal. After that chance, Modric will leave the match for Camavinga as he's on a yellow card.
Carvajal takes down Lewandowski in the box but the referee waves for no penalty as Lewandowski was looking for the foul there and went down easily. Modric has entered the book for a foul on Pedri as the match is getting a little chippy is things go on.
Not his greatest match but Ansu Fati has entered to try to spark a Barcelona comeback. Xavi has one sub left in the match while Real Madrid have made none.
Real Madrid haven't scored another goal yet but Benzema is pushing for one. The Frenchman had the ball in the back of the net but was judged to be offside and he has been tormenting the Barcelona defense all match as he seeks his second of the day.
The midfield needs balance and Gavi is coming on to provide it. Along with him, Jordi Alba and Ferran Torres are entering. Balde, Raphinha, and Busquets will all leave the match seeing de Jong move into the central defensive midfield role. Dembele has also switched sides to the right of the pitch.
Roberto was beaten as Benzema played Kroos into a chance at goal. While Kroos missed the shot, it's again a situation where Barcelona ar their own worst enemy in this critical match.
Can Barcelona get a goal back to make things interesting in the second half?
Quite a show of patience from Real Madrid. Vini Jr. was on the edge of the box but Tchouameni had tie to run to the edge of the box before knocking the ball to Mendy who found Valverde for an outside the box stunner. Far too much space for four Real Madrid attackers to sit on the ball with time to think.
The difference in the match is that Benzema has taken his change while Lewandowski didn't. Barcelona have held more possession and taken two more shots but Real Madrid won't care as the number that matters is the 1-0 lead looking at the score. Barcelona will need to prevent more defensive breakdowns or the match could get out of hand.
Dembele plays a great cross in front of goal but no one was there to get on the end of it as the attack has been out of sync. WIth how the defense has struggled, Barcelona will need multiple goals to get a victory here but misses like Lewandowski firing a good shot over the bar won't get the job done.
It's the dynamic duo as Vini Jr. was free on goal going head on at ter Stegen. The Barcelona keeper was strong on the first stop but Benzema was there to knock the ball into the back of the net and Real Madrid are off and running under 13 minutes into the match. Credit also needs to be given to Kroos who played Vini Jr. through on goal despite being fouled by Busquets.
Mendy charged forward to create a chance for Vini Jr. but Raphinha was there to block the shot. Los Blancos are almost exclusively attacking down the left at the moment but Barcelona have held firm.
It was an easy save for Lunin but it shows how Barcelona will want this match to go. A seamless transition from defense into attack created the chance and with enough pressure at goal, Lunin will crack.
A well rested Real Madrid side are looking to push the pace early in the match.
Real Madrid will win if: Starpower takes center stage, in Karim Benzema and Vini. Jr, Los Blancos boast the best players in the fixture so if they show up stopping them will be tough. Lunin has been suspect in goal but the defense has been strong enough as a whole that he will have protection in the match. In midfield, you know what to expect from Modric and Kroos but Tchouameni can break up play or pop up with a jaw dropping pass to link up the attack.
Barcelona will win if: They win the midfield. Frenkie de Jong's inclusion in the starting lineup shows that Xavi wants to win the possession battle. Alongside Busquets, de Jong will let Pedri float into attack ad Dembele and Raphina look to create chances. Since Barcelona doesn't have their entire first choice defense, controlling midfield will be key to maintaining control.
The 18 year old has taken massive steps forward this season after only playing 187 La Liga minutes last season. Xavi has liked what he's seen from Balde who can give teams fits as a left back or a winger but facing Real Madrid and defending Fede Valverde will be his biggest test yet. El Clasico is where legends are made and with a strong performance, quite a chapter in Balde's Barcelona story could be written.
Tom Fornelli thinks so as Barcelona are in the midst of a tough week.
I've seen a bit too much concern for Barcelona this week. As things stand, it looks near impossible for Barcelona to advance to the Champions League knockout stages. They will probably be relegated to the Europa League for the second straight season. This will be catastrophic for the club's finances, which were already a catastrophe. And you know what I say to that? Good. I have nothing against Barcelona. I love Lionel Messi and those Barcelona teams he led that dominated the world, but Barcelona have nobody to blame for this mess but Barcelona. They spent more money than they had, and when they needed to be wise, they made more stupid, short-sighted decisions thinking the best way to solve being broke is spending even more money.
That's the backdrop heading into El Clasico against a Real Madrid team that is in working order, won the Champions League and La Liga last year, and is now tied with Barcelona atop the table. Now, Barcelona's problems off the pitch haven't impacted it much on the pitch, but Barca have been bumslaying. They're bullying teams that aren't on their level and struggling against the teams they still believe they're on the same level as. They aren't. We'll be reminded of that once more Sunday in Madrid. The Pick: Real Madrid (+123)
Barcelona starters: ter Stegen, Balde, Garcia, Kounde, Roberto, Pedri, Busquets, de Jong, Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Reserves: Pique, Fati, Torres, Alonso, Alba, Kessie, Sotorres, Gavi, Torre, Tenas
Real Madrid starters: Lunin, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos, Valverde, Benzema, Vini. Jr
Reserves: Vallejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Camavinga, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rodrygo, Rudiger, Diaz, Lopez, Conchello
Barca had been dealing with injuries to their top three center backs, and while Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen continue to recover, Barca will be getting back Jules Kounde for El Clasico. That's a big one because he can play next to Eric Garcia and greatly boost the backline. Otherwise, Memphis Depay continues to deal with thigh problems, but his minutes were always going to be limited anyways with Xavi having much better options to use in attack.
Los Blancos are looking fairly good and feeling good entering this game, but they look set to be without Thibaut Courtois due to his sciatic problem. It was unclear if he would make it for this game, and while it isn't official yet, reports suggest that he won't be available. He's been out since Sept. 29. Otherwise, things are looking up. It's only natural to wonder how Antonio Rudiger will be after his gruesome face injury against Shakhtar Donetsk, but wearing a mask and playing won't be anything new to him.
