El Clasico Review

 Barcelona were at 9th and Real Madrid were at top and Madrid beats Barca at Camp Nou and every one was like Barca is finished and now a midtable team and then Xavi happened.

134 days in charge and change the whole scenario and no one could do it except Xavi. 

Bernabeu was hosting Barcelona and a magician was managing and magic happened. Barcelona thrashed Los Blancos by 4 goals. A big and moral boosting win for Barca.

Benzema was injured but playing without any number 9 was the mistake by Ancelotti. Barca was playing the ball around and Madrid was pressing high . Modric and Kroos was pressing the center backs leaving behind the big space for Barca to easily hold and play the ball. 

Dembele was great today specially in first half he was flying around the wing and humiliating the Nacho Fernandez. Araujo was playing as a defensive full back so it gave the freedom to Dembele to run along the wing and find the exact pass. And, he did it very well and defensively he was decent, running back to support Araujo and closing the spaces for Madrid and running fast at the counter. This was a fairy tale performance by the Dembele.

Auba scored 2 goals today. Who expected from Aubameyang to showcase such a display. He was right there, where the ball was. The in behind runs and clear spaces for midfielders to arrive in was something special by Aubameyang. Finishing was fantastic by Aubameyang, header on Dembele's cross and that chip over Courtois's head was astonishing.

Who can say that Pedri is 19. He was playing at Bernabeu like he was playing at his backyard with his friends. He knows when to slow down or accelerate the game. He loves to keep possession. He was excellent in midfield alongside with Sergio and De Jong. Barcelona completely bossed the midfield. From retrieving the ball to hold the play midfield was up to mark.

Defensively Barca was also good. Pique and Eric did not give any Space for forward runs. Jordi was very good with and off the ball. They were pressing high and also keeping up the shape and narrow the spaces for in behind runs. Eric was very good with the ball distribution and in combination with midfielders. Araujo as usual was very solid. He pocketed the Vinicious during whole match and also scored a goal.

MATS was also good, Today was not a busy day for him and he kept his calm and make some decent saves.

Madrid was dangerous at counter with the speed of Vinicious and Rodrygo but the absence of number 9 was the issue for him. Initially Modric was playing at that role but he was not convenient. 

High press by Barca did not allow Madrid to hold the play and Kroos and Valverde was completely    un effective. Casemiro was good he was winning the balls but high press from Barca did not allow the madrid to control the play. In second half inclusion of Mariano and Camavinga was not good enough the repair the damage. In 2nd half, Modric was pretty decent at his natural position and for some time Madrid was playing the game.

Defensively Madrid was clueless they did not know what was happening around them speed from Dembele and high press by Barca midfielders forced them to do mistakes. Courtois was great. Without doubt he is the best keeper in the world right now. If it was not about coutois today score line could be different.