3️⃣ TALKING POINTS FROM EL CLASICO MASSACRE
3️⃣ TALKING POINTS AS BARCA DEMOLISH REAL MADRID
-Mitansh Kagalwala
1.
XAVI’S MAGIC: Just a few months ago,
Barca were at rock bottom. Knocked out of the Champions League and the Copa Del
Rey, out of the title race, and lost 5 Clasico’s in a row. Now, things are a
bit different. Xavi’s return to Catalonia and a sensational January transfer
window sees Barca in third, just 3 points behind 2nd and with a game
in hand, and favourites for the Europa League. This Barca team finally has an
identity, playing a stylish fast-paced brand of football that is reminiscent of
the legendary Barca sides under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. They are scoring
goals for fun, while slamming the door shut at the back, and are finally
winning the big games. This El Clasico was supposed to be the litmus test for
Xavi’s new look Barca, but in truth, it was little more than a training game
for the Blaugrana. They passed their way through the Bernabeu, demolishing
Madrid with their excellent movement and deft passing. In the end, even a 0-4
scoreline flattered Los Blancos, as it could easily have been 7 or 8 if not for
some dodgy finishing and the excellence of Thibaut Courtois.
2.
BARCA’S NEW FRONT THREE: At the start
of the season, Barca struggled to score goals. Barca created too few chances,
and their finishing was even worse. Now, however, the tables have flipped
completely. Barca’s new attack of Ferran Torres, Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele
were irresistible and tore apart Madrid’s defence time and time again. Torres’
finishing might still be suspect, but his positioning creates so many chances it
doesn’t matter, Aubameyang has found a new lease of life in Catalonia, while
Ousmane Dembele has finally found his feet at the Blaugrana. Throw in Memphis
Depay, Adama Traore, Martin Braithwaite, Ez Abde and Luuk De Jong ready to come
in off the bench, and Ansu Fati coming back from injury, and Xavi has a wealth
of attacking resources at his disposal.
3.
ANCELOTTI DISASTERCLASS: The big news
ahead of the Clasico was the absence of Karim Benzema through injury, and how
Ancelotti would handle that tactically. Spoiler alert, not well. At the start,
his tactics made little sense. Vinicius and Rodrygo occupied the flanks, while
it was usually Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the space of a no.9, leading the
press. This left Madrid a man short in midfield, which meant Barca always had an
extra man available in midfield, usually Frenkie De Jong or Busquets. Further,
Ancelotti chose Dani Carvajal at right back over Lucas Vazquez, but Carvajal
was constantly caught by Ferran’s movement in-behind. Ancelotti also made the
mistake of picking Nacho at left back over David Alaba. The Spaniard was tortured
at will by Ousmane Dembele, and Casemiro or Alaba had to constantly move over
to help out. Ancelotti’s substitutions at half time didn’t help the cause much
either, with Real Madrid chasing shadows for much of the 2nd half. Karim
Benzema is, admittedly, vital to Real’s style of player, but no one player
should be that important to a team, especially not a 34-year old.
Comments
Post a Comment