Real-Barça – The cheat sheet of the Clasico: Resounding rebirth

The game: explosive Barça, harmless Real

Real Madrid attacked this game with enthusiasm and aggressiveness. The illusion did not last long because, very quickly, FC Barcelona regained control of the ball and pressed where it hurt: on the sides. The ability to accelerate and eliminate the Catalan wingers put the Merengue defense to the test. More generally, the Blaugrana were more incisive in the duels and enterprising in the opposing camp. A particularly blatant grip on the game during the first act, one-sided.

The 4-3-3 concocted by Xavi is starting to have a lot of automatisms, and it has been seen. We also saw Carlo Ancelotti’s inability to find the tactical key to overturning the balance of power. The Italian technician tried to switch to a three axial defense from the start of the second period. But above all, it totally unbalanced his team, who conceded two goals in the minutes that followed.

The players: Dembele and Aubameyang on fire, Nacho and Carvajal under water

Difficult to know which of the two is the man of the match. Ousmane Dembélé did not score, it’s true, but he splashed this 248th Clasico in history. Untenable on his right wing, the French international made big differences with the ball and delivered two wonderful crosses that led to the first two goals. Pierre-Aubameyang, he offered himself a double full of accuracy and opportunism, adding to that a brilliant assist for Ferran Torres. Note also the enormous work done by Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, who reigned in the midfield.

Opposite, it was a shipwreck on all floors. Starting with the two full-backs, Nacho and Dani Carvajal, who completely drank the cup. Luka Modric did not have the expected impact in the middle, where Toni Kroos, ghostly, gave way to Eduardo Camavinga from the start. Aligned at the forefront, Rodrygo displayed all his limits to a number 9 position which is not his. The most dangerous Madrid player was Vinicius Junior, but he was far too messy and clumsy to really weigh in this match.

The X factor: Only one being is missing…

Of course, it is impossible to say with certainty that the result of this match would have been quite different if Karim Benzema had been present. Still, KB9 – forfeited due to a left calf injury – was terribly lacking at Real this Sunday. On the field, his sense of the game, his stalls and his quality as a finisher would not have been too much. Above all, the usual merengue captain could have shaken up his teammates, who sometimes gave the impression of discovering the Bernabéu and the demanding Madrid public. A few days ago, a famous evening of the Champions League, it was the French striker who had sounded the revolt…

The tweet that is both subtle and roomy

On this world day of happiness, Barça has done what is necessary to satisfy its many supporters.

The stat: 2

Before Ousmane Dembélé, the only player to manage two assists in the first period during a Clasico in the 21st century was none other than… Xavi, in 2009.

The declaration: Xavi

“It’s a day to savor, because Barca fans haven’t had much lately, let alone in the last Clasicos. Winning 4-0 at the Bernabéu playing football so well is tough, that doesn’t happen every day. I’m not looking for personal glory, I want glory for the players and for the big Barca family in general.”

The question: Did we witness the birth of Barça version Xavi?

A little look back. Five months ago, Real dominated Barcelona at Camp Nou (1-2) in a far from memorable Clasico. At the time, Ronald Koeman was still on the Catalan bench and Sergio Agüero – scorer that day – was still a professional football player. At the time, especially, the Blaugrana were painful to see, both in La Liga and in the Champions League. And then, a few days later, Xavi arrived. It took him time, moments of procrastination, a lively (and particularly successful) winter transfer window but we can say it now: under his orders, Barça has finally become a formidable team again.

This irresistible comeback did not suddenly take place on Sunday evening. Gerard Pique’s teammates have been sending encouraging signals for several weeks now. The demonstration carried out on the lawn of the hated rival nevertheless has all the features of the reference match par excellence, the one which serves as a founding moment for an entire collective and will remain, for a long time, engraved in the memories. In this sense, it is no exaggeration to speak of a birth certificate. Or even rebirth, if we consider that Xavi is part of the glorious legacy of Pep Guardiola.

However, we will avoid getting carried away. The 2010 world champion intends to build over time, but the medium-term future of some players (starting with Ousmane Dembélé, out of contract in three and a half months) remains very vague. The financial situation of the culé club is still worrying. The 42-year-old coach has laid a very promising foundation. It is now necessary to know if Barça will be able to take advantage of it. In order to find the heights.