Three talking points from Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona

Barcelona came into El Clasico today to prove a point or two. The Catalan club suffered heartbreak midweek when they could not get a win against Inter Milan in the Champions League, which has put them on the brink of elimination from that competition.

With the entire footballing world watching them, Xavi’s men had to make a statement in arguably the biggest clash of their league season yet. However, Barcelona came up with yet another flat display and didn’t look like they would even score until very late in the game.

Real Madrid emerged 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo, whilst Ferran Torres scored a consolation goal for Xavi’s men.

The result puts Los Blancos firmly back at the top of the table, three points clear of Barcelona. Los Blancos also have their unbeaten run intact, whilst Barcelona have a lot of work to do.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points from the team’s impressive/disastrous showing at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening.

1. Team selection: learning and growing

Ever since he became the manager, Xavi has shown that he is not afraid to drop the big names and that selection is always merit-based. The Spanish tactician stood true to his word yet again today, dropping both Gerard Pique and Marcos Alonso to the bench.

The duo were easily Barcelona’s two worst players on the pitch in the 3-3 draw against Inter Milan with the former especially making a number of individual mistakes. 

Balde, who should have started against the Nerazzurri, was trusted with a start against Real Madrid and put in yet another excellent shift. Jules Kounde could not have returned at a better time, and the Frenchman rightfully slotted in at central defence, in place of Gerard Pique.

Frenkie de Jong who was exceptional in his cameo against Inter deserved to start tonight’s clash, and he did so in place of Gavi. 

There could have been a case to drop captain Sergio Busquets as well but to be fair to him, he had an excellent first half against Inter and has been one of Barça’s better players all season. Considering all the absentees, Xavi lined up with the best possible team that he could, correcting a few mistakes that he made for the Inter Milan clash.

2. Meaningless possession

New day, same old Barcelona. They keep committing the same mistakes again and again and there seems to be no effort to rectify them. Xavi’s men dominated possession yet again, having 56.7% against their name but were extremely static and slow whilst having the ball.

They improved considerably well in the second half with the introduction of Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres and Gavi, but it all came a little too late to have any significant bearing on the result. 

Xavi needs to have a serious look at his tactics and the way the midfield sets up in games. For all the talent that Barcelona have in this area, they are unable to dominate games like they are supposed to.

This match was yet another example of why the Catalans need an off-the-ball runner like Ferran or Fati to open the game up for other players and it’s high time Xavi realises that.

3. 2021/22 Eric Garcia returns

Eric Garcia had a night to forget in Madrid. The entire Barcelona defence did not cover itself in glory tonight, but Eric was easily the worst Blaugrana player on the pitch.

All the good displays that he has put in this season amounted to absolutely nothing, with the Spaniard struggling to stop Madrid attacks on so many occasions. He was directly at fault for two of Los Blancos’ three goals tonight. 

He tripped Rodrygo in the box late on, which was given as a penalty, and that pretty much summed up his night. He could have also done a better job at keeping Benzema’s shot out during the first goal, but that is a little harsh.

It remains to be seen how the Spaniard comes back from this horror show. Eric is still just 21 and has a lot to learn, and the fans must not be harsh with him. The former Manchester City man will not be proud of his display today, and let’s hope he makes amends.