All in black, the “white ballet” of Spain’s record champions Real Madrid experienced a Sunday to forget. Ironically, in their pitch-black anniversary jerseys for the 120th anniversary of the club, the royals had to acknowledge defeat against arch-rivals FC Barcelona with a humiliating 0: 4 (0: 2) home defeat after five Clásico successes in a row.
With two goals, the former Bundesliga professional Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a significant contribution to the prestigious success for the financially stricken Catalans, who even had to part with their icon Lionel Messi before the season. National goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen spent a rather quiet evening in the goal of the guests against completely disappointing hosts. Without the injured goalscorer Karim Benzema, the Madrilenians offensive achieved almost nothing.
Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres scored the other goals for Xavi Hernandez’s side. Barca celebrated their biggest success at the Bernabeu in more than six years. The hosts were only lucky to avoid the worst defeat in 48 years. In February 1974, Real lost 5-0 to arch-rivals Catalonia.
With ex-national player Toni Kroos at the top of the table, Real still have a nine-point lead over Sevilla FC despite their first home defeat of the season nine games before the end. Barcelona, who will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, maintained third place 12 points behind Real, ahead of defending champions Atlético Madrid on points. The Catalans, who have been successful for the fifth time in a row, still have a game to catch up.