A highlight of the past as Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu

I think we all have seen that famous meme from Simpson where a character is saying, “Stop Stop he’s already dead”. Now, there are definitely some football fans across the globe who probably thought the same when Barcelona scored four past Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.

Even though Barcelona came to the match after five El Classico defeats, it never looked like that this Barcelona team was close to relegation at one point and is currently playing Europa League. This however is not the first time that Barcelona has completely dominated Real Madrid in Madrid. They have done it in the past as well but this was probably the most important win for them. As the team is filled with youngsters, the team needed a massive boost that they belong in this league and take the big boys on by looking at their eyes. Credit completely goes to their manager and former captain of the side Xavi, who changed everything in this team. Under Ronald Koeman, the same team used to be in immense pressure, failed to create any chances but under Xavi, this team could have scored 7-8 goals if they had some luck by their side.

Coming to Real Madrid, they played some horrible football last night. They looked like an amateur team that didn't know who to defend. At one point, the fans and the commentators were really confused regarding the positions of some players. The team started with Carvajal, Militao, Alaba and Nacho as four defenders with Rodrygo and Vinicius in both the wings, Valverde as a false nine and Kroos, Modric and Casemiro in the midfield. Since the team didn’t play with a proper striker, the team failed to press high and Araujo took full advantage of that. To stop that, Carlo Ancelotti played Modric and Kroos as number nine and then Valverde and then the wingers and probably tried everything possible. It completely failed because that is not their natural position.

In the second half, he changed things. Kroos and Dani Carvajal were dropped and suddenly Madrid started playing with three defenders and it took Barcelona some seconds to take advantage of that. Ferran Torres scored in the 47th minute while Aubameyang scored his second in the 51st minute and Real Madrid was completely shattered post that. Casemiro joined the defenders and Madrid went to 4-5-1 as Alaba was playing as a left back, Lucas Vazquez replaced Nacho and Mariano was asked to lead the attack. For most part of the match, Carvajal and Nacho looked like a burden on Real Madrid. Carvajal is definitely getting into the squad because of his reputation and not because of his performance. He needs to improve massively in order to be a part of the XI.

Carlo Ancelotti looked clueless and after the match, he apologised to the fans and agreed that it was his fault. Thibaut Courtois once again saved the team on multiple occasions and he too was very disappointed after the match. The only positive thing for Real Madrid will be that they are still at the top of the table with 66 points from 29 games. Barcelona is 3rd in the table with 54 points from 28 games.

Xavi was very delighted on the sideline and was the same after the game. In the post-match conference, the legend said, “It can change the dynamics of the present and the future. We had lots of chances and we were much better than Madrid, far superior. We deserved to score so many goals”.