Three talking points from Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid | La Liga

It has been Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid all season, and Bellingham it was once again at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday in the first El Clasico of the campaign.

Barcelona were not the favourites heading into El Clasico, but the manner in which they opened their performance gave hope. As the minutes passed, the hope turned into conviction and then a firm belief that they had what it takes to come out on top.

Only until Jude Bellingham happened. The English midfielder is a force of nature, and the Catalans faced his wrath at the death to come out losers on the evening. Unfair, yet a deserved win for the visitors who took their chances.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points from Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid.

45 minutes of Blaugrana paradise

For the most part of the Clasico, Barcelona appeared to be running away with the game and three points. Such was the Catalans’ confidence in attack that they were the ones pushing for the entirety of the first period.

Nothing seemingly went Real Madrid’s way, to begin with. Barcelona dominated the midfield battle, won the half challenges, pressed like their life depended on it and combined with aesthetic precision.

There was an element of beauty in the Blaugrana passes with the buildup featuring silky smooth transitions from defence to attack. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were left chasing the ball with only the occasional counterattack.

Ronald Araujo pocketed Vinicius Jr down the right flank, forcing the Brazilian into bouts of frustration. In central defence, Andreas Christensen and Inigo Martinez pulled off a commendable display to halt any Real Madrid venture forward.

Most importantly, Gavi was all over Los Blancos’ midfield as he rampantly chased after them and retrieved the ball time and time again. Cancelo and Balde provided width down the flanks while Gundogan brought the whole team together with his genius touch.

Xavi Hernandez’s men broke the Merengues’ defence time and tie again, struck the post twice and should have been 3-0 up at the break.

It was perfect, the first half felt like paradise for Barcelona and the Blaugranas could not have been more proud of themselves walking down the tunnel at half-time. Alas, that was where it all changed.

Outdone by two touches

As inspiring as Barcelona’s first-half performance was, it all fell apart when the two teams stepped onto the grass after the break. In particular, the game turned on its head after Carlo Ancelotti brought on Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga.

The men in white boasted of a renewed passion in the second half, the characteristic never-say-die attitude that defines the Merengues.

All of a sudden, it was Real Madrid that was winning the half-challenges and pushing forward in numbers. Barcelona let their guard down and eased their effort on the press. Needless to say, they were made to pay.

For all of Barcelona’s hard work, two touches of exquisite genius put it into the water.

Jude Bellingham’s equaliser on the afternoon was a screamer. A shot from outside the box, struck with unbelievable precision to beat the goalkeeper. Marc-Andre ter Stegen could indeed have done better, but to fault him for the goal conceded would appear immature.

The visitors’ late winner once again was written on the boot of Bellingham. The youngster, as he has so many times before, found himself at the right place at the right time. With the ball at his mercy and only the goalkeeper to beat, he made easy work of the chance.

A difficult pill to swallow

Not much will be said in the Blaugrana dressing room after a gutting Clasico defeat, more so considering the fashion in which it was inflicted on them. It is the heartbreak of the highest level, and the reaction of the players at full-time says it all.

In theory, there is not much Barcelona should blow their sleep about. They were the better team, created the better chances and had the better tactics.

To lose to individual brilliance does not hurt half as much as a comprehensive thrashing in football. Saturday’s game was the former, but the defeat will be one of the most difficult pills to swallow for the Azulgranas this season.

Real Madrid now boast a four-point lead over Barcelona, when in reality it should have been the Catalans with a two-point advantage. How the young team bounces back from the tough result will count for so much of their overall season and coming form.