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Real class and Barca's identity crisis

Real Madrid's emphatic 3-1 win over Barcelona in the first El Clasico is a clear indication that the Los Blancos are the team to beat in Spain.

Dhruv Munjal New Delhi
Last Updated : Oct 28 2014 | 7:10 PM IST
Almost one-fourth of Spain’s population finds itself reeling under unemployment. The country’s central bank earlier this month forecast that the economy as a whole will grow at a lowly 1.3% in 2014. Still recovering from recession, the economy is slowly getting back on its feet, but still finds itself in a shambles.

But you wouldn't have known that if you were at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid on Saturday night for the El Clásico, the biggest and most eagerly awaited football game on the planet. The combined value of the players on show for Real Madrid and Barcelona was in excess of a staggering $1 billion. A whole galaxy of superstars descended on the Spanish capital, a long list that included Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos. And Gareth Bale, the most expensive player in the world wasn't even playing. This was opulence of a whole new level, stupefying and never seen before.

On the pitch, Real Madrid, much like their talisman, Ronaldo, were impossible to catch. Swift, sleek and at times devastating on the counter attack, Madrid were too good for a Barcelona side still finding its feet under new boss Luis Enrique. What started off on a promising note for the Catalans ended in bitter defeat, as they were cut to size with ruthless precision by the old enemy. Barcelona still sit on top of the La Liga table, but based on Saturday evening’s evidence, there is only one win team that looks like winning the league.

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Twice this season, Barcelona have imploded against quality oppositions. In the Champions League earlier this month, Barca were found wanting in defence against a PSG side that oozed pace and impeccable midfield control. Against Madrid, we saw much of the same. Barca were abysmal in possession by their high standards. The midfield duo of Xavi and Andreas Iniesta, often lauded as the finest pairing in the modern game, was dominated by Kroos and Luka Modric with effortless ease. By the time the second half came around, Barca had completely lost their shape. Messi failed to dictate the game, and Suarez was a mere spectator up top. Also, it is hard to see the Uruguayan flourish in the current system employed by Enrique. Suarez’s success at Liverpool was based on his ability to pick up the ball deep and drive at defenders. In the current system, that role clearly rests with Neymar. Moreover, the lack of width in the Barca side makes it even more difficult for Suarez to operate as an out-and-out no.9.

Enrique’s team selection also played a part in the defeat. His decision to play Jérémy Mathieu at left back instead of Jordi Alba was surprising to say the least. Alba is clearly the swifter of the two, and would have provided much more going forward. Barca, in spite of possessing all the talent in the world faces an identity crisis. They are still playing in the semi-tiki-taka mode, which is neither here nor there. It is high time that Enrique & Co. find a plan B, or even C, looking at how things are going against the big teams.

Madrid, on the other hand, was exceptionally well drilled and organised, a feature reminiscent of Pep Guardiola’s great Barcelona sides of the years gone by. They had their odd sloppy moment in defence, but they were a treat to watch going forward. The floating midfield of Isco, Ronaldo and Rodriguez moved the ball at a fast pace and gave the Barca defence a tough time. One thought that their imperial display against Liverpool in the Champions League last week was special, but this was a notch higher.

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First Published: Oct 28 2014 | 5:05 PM IST

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