How did the Barcelona side rate in their El Clasico trip to the Bernabeu?
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Barcelona conceded their first La Liga goals of the season in defeat to arch rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this evening, with goals from Pepe and Karim Benzema in the second half proving to be the difference.
This is how we rated the visiting side during their 3-1 defeat:
GK) Claudio Bravo 6 – There was very little that the Chilean could do about any of the goals, but does not command well enough from set pieces.
RB) Dani Alves 6 – Not the rampaging presence that he often is down the right and was caused problems going towards his own goal.
CB) Gerard Pique 4 – Struggled to live with the pace and movement of the Real Madrid attack all afternoon.
CB) Javier Mascherano 6 – Didn’t do too much wrong, but his presence does make Barcelona vulnerable to crosses into the box.
LB) Jeremy Mathieu 6 – Solid enough defensively but offered very little going forward, better in the centre.
DCM) Sergio Busquets 6 – Recycled possession well and played okay, most of Barcelona’s troubles came down the flanks.
CM) Xavi 5 – Struggled to have any impact on the game at all and it was no surprise when he was taken off.
CM) Andres Iniesta 6 – Played relatively well before unfortunately going off with an injury in the second half.
FW) Luis Suarez 6 – Got an assist within five minutes of his debut for the club, but clearly nowhere near full match fitness.
FW) Lionel Messi 6 – A surprisingly quiet night from a player who is so often decisive in these fixtures.
FW) Neymar 7 – The most dangerous of the Barcelona forwards and took his goal well, has really turned it on this season.
SUB) Ivan Rakitic 7 – Gave Barcelona a little bit more energy and bite in midfield but the game was slipping away from them.
SUB) Sergio Roberto 5 – A strange substitution from Luis Enrique, Roberto came on in midfield but offered very little.
SUB) Pedro 6 – A couple of dangerous runs, but it was a tough situation for a player to come on and retrieve.
MAN) Luis Enrique 5 – Took a gamble with a couple of things in his team selection and they didn’t really pay off.