This Clasico was perhaps one of the least anticipated Clasicos of recent years… For the general public at least. But for the Barcelonans, this match was an opportunity to double humiliate Real Madrid by beating them and winning the title of champion of Spain in the process. All this, in a very complicated context for the Merengues, stuck in a huge sporting crisis and above all, with huge internal problems. For this match, Hansi Flick, who lost his father a few hours before kick-off, relied on Ferran Torres rather than Robert Lewandowski to accompany Rashford and Fermin Lopez, and Eric Garcia in place of Koundé on the right side of the defense. Raphinha, back, therefore started on the sidelines, while the absence of Lamine Yamal had already been planned for a long time. Opposite, Alvaro Arbeloa, deprived of Kylian Mbappé, Valverde, Militao and Arda Güler among others, relied on a trio composed of Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo Garcia and Vinicius Jr at the forefront. Aurélien Tchouameni, involved in this famous fight with the Uruguayan, was there in the middle, just like Eduardo Camavinga, started for the first time in a month.
Both teams showed, from the start, rather offensive intentions, with two fairly high lines. This allowed the two teams to project themselves relatively quickly, with a “cross of death” from Fermin Lopez for Rashford well cut by Fran Garcia for example (5th). The Englishman, whose future at Barcelona is at stake, was aware that he had to show himself and what better way than to open the scoring with a superb free kick. Off-center on the right side on the edge of the area, the Red Devil placed a superb ball brushed into the opposite corner to explode the Camp Nou (1-0, 9th). Stunned, the Madrilenians struggled to react, with a header from Tchouameni off target from a corner as the first opportunity (13th). Without too much surprise, Barça were better in their match than Real Madrid: better in position, more inspired with the ball and sharper on their offensives. The break wouldn’t take too long. On the left side, Cancelo found Dani Olmo in the area. The Spaniard scored a nice backheel for Ferran Torres who crucified Courtois (2-0, 18th). It should still be noted that the pace was quite low, and Barça was not completely reassuring behind. Gonzalo, launched by Asencio, narrowly missed the target (23rd), while Eric Garcia cut a nice serve from Bellingham for Vinicius Jr (24th).
There were no photos this evening…
But there was still a world of difference in the involvement and intensity in the duels in particular, with the Barcelonans quite aggressive and generous in their effort, and the Madrilenians rather passive. After an exceptional ball from Ferran Torres behind the defense, Rashford missed his face to face with a decisive Courtois (38th). Behind, Dani Olmo missed his half-volley in the area (39th). If players like Olmo, Ferran Torres, Pedri, Fermin Lopez or Marcus Rashford were quite prominent, there were not many people who stood out in front, except perhaps a fairly determined Brahim Diaz or a fairly good Asencio behind. Camavinga and Bellingham were particularly bad, for example. Logical advantage at the break therefore, and upon returning from the locker room, the Catalans continued to dominate. Tempers also began to get heated at times, although the first period had been fairly peaceful, and we felt more and more tension as the second period progressed, with Asencio or Olmo being booked following an altercation.
Courtois avoided Barça’s third by stopping another opportunity from Ferran Torres, perfectly launched by Cancelo (56th). It was clearly not the Clasico of the century, with a fairly mediocre technical level overall. Shortly after the hour mark, Raphinha returned to the pitch, accompanied by Frenkie de Jong. Vastly superior in the midfield, Barça even gave the impression of not wanting to strain too much sometimes, or at least of not needing to, well supported by their excellent duo Pedri-Gavi. The clock ticked down and Real Madrid found no solution, displaying a terrible and sad face from start to finish of the match. We were even closer to 3-0 than 2-1, with chances from Raphinha and Lewandowski, again saved by a very good Courtois. The score has not changed, and in addition to having dominated its sworn enemy, Barça is officially king of Spain. Enough to reward a great season – with 17 victories in 17 matches at home in particular – for Hansi Flick’s troops, logically champions for a second season in a row!
