This post originally featured on our dedicated Barcelona analysis site, barcelonaanalysis.com
El Clasico is always a special day, not just in Spain but all over the world. No matter which team you support, if you like football, chances are you are watching Barcelona and Real Madrid provide us with yet another spectacle. This particular clash of the titans was somewhat different with the notable absences of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since 2007. At the end of the day though, it was more or less, as predicted: the second team in La Liga facing the seventh.
As cruel as it might sound, the demolition derby at the Camp Nou was just that: a demolition. In this tactical analysis with statistics, we take a look at how Barcelona crushed their eternal rival, kicked them down to ninth place and probably gave Julen Lopetegui his second sacking in less than half of a year.
Line ups
Barça (4-3-3): Ter Stegen – Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba Rakitić, Busquets, Arthur Rafinha, Suarez, Coutinho
Bench: Semedo, Dembele, Cillessen, Malcom, Munir, Vidal, Chumi
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo Isco, Casemiro, Kroos, Modrić – Bale, Benzema
Bench: Navas, Mariano, Valverde, Vazquez, Odriozola, Asensio, Ceballos
Coach: Julen Lopetegui
Once again this Barcelona team was questioned in Messi’s absence and yet again the Catalan giant proved the world wrong. Ernesto Valverde was impressed by his team’s performance against Inter Milan on Wednesday so he decided not to tamper with a system that clearly works. It really does, and what better game to prove it in than El Clasico?
Rafinha started the game on the right wing, and Sergi Roberto was once again given the nod in front of Nelson Semedo. This more conservative approach seems to complement Valverde’s style but also the personnel without the little Argentine wizard. Again, this was a 4-3-3 formation, similar to what Julen Lopetegui opted for on the other side of the pitch.
He too decided to ta
