FC Barcelona is once again the best team in Spain. We could have guessed this before this Saturday by taking a look at the La Liga standings. We are now convinced of this after the Catalan team gained the upper hand over their long-time rival, Real Madrid. And she did it at the Bernabeu, after a very solid performance.
Lewandowski unlocked the Clasico
Having had a very attractive start to the season, Barça had to confirm by signing a result in Madrid. This is what she managed to do, by perfectly applying her game plan. She first set about defending well, before taking advantage of the opponent’s drop in power to plant her banderillas.
And who will make this Barcelona surge a reality? Robert Lewandowski. At the age of 36, the Pole took on the role of MVP by signing the two achievements of the game. In the 54th minute, he opened the scoring by winning a duel with Andriy Lunin after escaping on the edge of offside. Then, barely two minutes later, he secured the break with a beautiful uncrossed header, receiving a perfect cross from Alejandro Baldé. A nice double and one that he could also have transformed into a hat-trick if he had scored his next two attempts (66e and 69e).
Mbappé was offside too often
The former Bayern striker will not have to regret his converted attempts. Unlike Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman will ruminate on his missed 1-2 ball in the 72nde. But also and above all, he will regret the numerous offside positions in which he found himself. There were seven, including two which resulted in goals. For his very first Clasico, the Frenchman would probably have hoped for a completely different statistical outcome.
The former Parisian was therefore unable to convert Real’s highlight. He lacked realism. And on that side, he was entitled to a lesson from Lamine Yamal. The young Barcelona prodigy only had one opportunity and he blew it. At the 77eafter a deep pass from Raphinha, he placed an unstoppable right-footed flat that ended up deep. The same Raphinha then took charge of completing his team’s success with a nice lob from Raphinha (85e).
Barça takes off in the rankings
4-0 at the Bernabeu is not a record for Barça. Barely two years ago, the Catalans did just as well. Nevertheless, this success is set to remain in the annals for longer due to the killer side shown by the Blaugrana while at half-time nothing suggested such an outcome. It is also significant because of the repercussions on fatigue given that Flick’s men take a six-point lead over their historic rival. We won’t go so far as to say that the title of Spanish champion is already up for grabs, but it is certain that Lewandowski and his teammates have taken an option on the national throne.
