Real Madrid suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona on Sunday evening, one that looks like it could end up being the final nail in the coffin for Los Blancos boss Julen Lopetegui. So, following the first El Clasico of the season, we’ve picked out five things that we learned from Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid.
Luis Suarez still very much has it
Going into the start of this season, a fair few fans had labelled Luis Suarez as a player that is somewhat past it and declining, however if the Uruguayan proved one thing today, that’s far from the case.
The former Liverpool man, who had only scored a total of four goals in La Liga before Sunday’s match, was absolutely sensational for the Blaugrana, as he carried on the form he showed against Inter Milan in the Champions League earlier in the week into Barca’s clash against Real.
The 31-year-old took all of his goals sublimely, with his second and third strikes being ones of pure art. The forward became just the twelfth player in Barca history to score a hat-trick in El Clasico, something that will see him remain in the minds of Barca fans’ memories, and the club’s history books, for years and years to come.
Suarez may not be as sharp or physically fit as he used to be during his time with Liverpool and in his early days with Barca, however if one thing is for certain, it’s that his technical ability is still very much there, and boy did he show that against Julen Lopetegui’s side.
Jordi Alba is the best left-back on the planet
Now, it shouldn’t be a surprise for anyone that watches football to know that Jordi Alba is a fantastic player, and that if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be Barcelona’s starting left-back. However, the performance he put on show during his side’s rout against Los Blancos was truly something else, and is one that will see him take the title of ‘best left-back in the world’ in many people’s eyes.
The Spanish international proved to be a constant threat down Barca’s left flank, something he’s done for a number of years now, and this showed in Barca’s first goal. The former Valencia man’s intricate passing and fantastic movement off the ball allowed him to get in behind the Real defence, as he laid the ball back for Philippe Coutinho to slot home and give the home side the lead.
The 29-year-old has definitely been one of the best in the world in his position for a while now, but the display he put on against Lopetegui’s men is one that should see him be ranked as the best on the planet in his area in a lot of people’s minds.
The difference between Alba and Real Madrid left-back Marcelo was night and day. The Brazilian looked lethargic, fatigued and, in all honesty, not that bothered about tracking back, or the match in general. Whereas in contrast, Alba was on another level, as he constantly gave Barcelona an out-ball on their left hand side, and his bursting runs forward caused Real’s defence to go into panic mode time and time again. A fantastic performance from a fantastic player.
Barcelona’s preparations for life without Lionel Messi look promising
It’s not something that a lot of Barcelona fans, or football fans in general, are going to want to think about, but one day, Lionel Messi will eventually hang up his boots and retire from the game. A player that has been so influential for Barca ever since his debut back in 2004/05 season, will no longer be with the club one day, and that day will be a dark one for all involved with the Blaugrana.
However, if their drubbing of Real Madrid proved one thing regarding Messi, it’s that Ernesto Valverde’s side seem to be somewhat prepared for the day the Argentine finally calls it quits on football. Players like Philippe Coutinho, Arthur Melo, Clement Lenglet and Ousmane Dembele all shone today, and the fact that Barca were able to score five against Real without Messi in the squad, shows that this current Barcelona side definitely has what it takes to cope with life after the Argentine international has gone.
Despite not having the superstar’s presence, the Blaugrana still managed to pile the misery on Real Madrid, something a few fans may not have seen coming given the fact that Messi was absent.
Real don’t look very well prepared for life without Cristiano Ronaldo if this season so far is anything to go by, and by the looks of it, Barcelona aren’t going to fair the same way when Messi decides to call it a day, especially following this El Clasico mauling.
Julen Lopetegui is not cut out for life at Real Madrid
When Julen Lopetegui announced he was to take over the job as manager of Real Madrid from Zinedine Zidane just before the start of the World Cup this past summer, something that subsequently saw him sacked as manager of Spain, a lot of fans were somewhat surprised at the appointment, and we don’t blame them.
The Spaniard has struggled dearly since moving to the Spanish capital, and it doesn’t like his stint at the club is going to last very long at all, especially considering their result against Barcelona on Sunday. Real looked limp, lifeless and lost in possession against the Blaugrana, something that has become somewhat of a theme for Los Blancos during Lopetegui’s short tenure thus far.
Bar a small 15 minutes spell in the second half, Madrid never looked like threatening Barca’s goal at all, something that definitely wouldn’t have pleased the club’s fans.
Real currently sit in ninth place in La Liga, with the Spanish giants being closer to the relegation zone than to league leaders Barca, an aspect that simply isn’t good enough for a club of Real Madrid’s stature and quality.
At the time of writing Lopetegui is still manager of Real Madrid, however this fact shouldn’t remain that way for long given how his side performed at the Nou Camp on Sunday, a display that everyone associated with the club will be wanting to forget in a hurry.
Arthur Melo has the potential to be a Barcelona great
When Arthur Melo first moved to Barcelona from Brazilian giants Gremio earlier this summer, a lot of hype was surrounding the midfielder, and boy has he lived up to that so far.
The 22-year-old is yet to get of the mark for the Blaugrana in competitive action since joining the club, however his failures in front of goal should not deter anyone from rating the Brazilian very highly.
Arthur has been nothing short of sublime every time he’s stepped onto the pitch for the Blaugrana, and his composure in possession, combined with his ability to see passes most players wouldn’t, has seen him slot into Barca’s side very nicely.
Against Real Madrid, Arthur was a different class, as he constantly helped relieve pressure with his quick passing and smart movement off the ball, with his ability to recycle possession and start moves from the back being second to none.
Despite being just 21, and having only moved to the Nou Camp at the start of the season, Arthur already looks like he’s been playing in the Blaugrana’s system for years, and it seems like the club may have a perfect heir to Xavi’s throne on their hands if he carries on performing like he is currently.
The former Gremio man has the same build, play style and technique as the Barcelona legend, and the club’s search for a replacement for the Spaniard may finally be over.
Arthur seems to play football almost effortlessly at times, just like Xavi did, and his partnership with his fellow midfielders Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets is one that has already greatly impressed Barca fans.
Only time will tell us how Arthur ends up fairing during his time in Catalonia, however if his performance against Real Madrid is anything to go by, it looks like Arthur could very well become a club legend in the coming years.