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After trailing early Real Madrid stormed back at the end of the first half and dominated the second half in what can only be described as an awesome display of counter attacking football.
The Galacticos were sensational on the break punishing Barcelona when given the opportunity.
Barcelona were very much in the game in the first half but a few costly mistakes through loss of possession and a Gerard Pique handball cost them the game.
Suarez had an above average debut for the Catalan giants and although he didn’t cause Casillas too many problems he was lively enough where he was able to effectively contribute with high levels of involvement.
Messi was a non factor in the second half as he struggled to create once Madrid took a late second half lead.
Isco, Modric, Ronaldo and Carvajal were the stars for Real Madrid and seemed to be a the heart of everything they did going forward. Carvajal was particularly impressive and made a number of vital challenges that either directly or indirectly prevented Barcelona scoring opportunities.
The game lived up to the hype but ultimately Real Madrid proved to be the better side as they eventually outclassed their Catalan rivals once they took the lead as Barcelona struggled playing catchup.
It was the first time Barcelona conceded all season but this game will most likely be treated as an aberration to what has been a fantastic campaign so far. Madrid close the gap to one point and now sit in second place behind their rivals and have firmly put themselves back in the title race.
FINAL SCORE:
Real Madrid 3
Barcelona 1
The first El Clasico of 2014 is upon us as Real Madrid host Barcelona at Santiago Bernabéu. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00am (AEDT).
This fixture couldn’t have come at a better time as not only will this be the pick of any game in Europe this weekend but it also see’s the return of one of world’s football finest strikers, Luis Suarez.
It’ll be Suarez’s first competitive match for Barcelona and carrying a €94 million price tag all eyes will be on the fiery Uruguayan.
The El Clasico – a football purists dream and a derby that ranks amongst the best in world football. Rarely will you see any game with more individual talent on a football pitch than this one, and this year is no exception.
Ronaldo vs Pique, Messi vs Ramos, Kroos vs Iniesta and the list goes on and on; there are mini matchups all over the field, but at the end of the day both sets of players are only focused on one thing – getting all three points.
Barcelona sit atop of the table in La Liga with Madrid just four points behind them in third. The Catalan giants for years have been the poster boys of beautiful pass and move football but it’s their defence this year that is getting all the headlines having yet to conceded a goal in eight league games this season.
Pique and Mathieu look like they have been playing together for years and have responded extremely well to new manager’s Luis Enrique increased emphasis on defence.
As well as they have performed defensively, Barcelona are running into an attacking juggernaut in Madrid who have scored an astounding 30 goals in only eight La Liga games, including 10 in their last two.
Barcelona have been magnificent defensively but have yet to play a team with Madrid’s attacking quality and haven’t faced the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema, Rodriguez, Kroos and co. But with that being said, Madrid haven’t faced a team with Barcelona’s attacking quality as in case you haven’t noticed, Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Xavi and Iniesta aren’t exactly slouches in the Barcelona attack.
With this amount of attacking talent on one football pitch you’d expect a high scoring affair and hopefully we’re in for something similar to last year’s matchup were we were treated to a seven-goal attacking masterclass.
Gareth Bale is ruled out with a thigh injury while youngster Jese is also out for the game. Barcelona however have no major concern with only Thomas Vermaelen likely to be the big name to be left out of the team.
This one is always a spectators dream so be sure to tune in with The Roar from 3:00am AEDT.
If there’s any game your going to get up out of bed for this year, it’s this one!
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