Barcelona put on an exhibition at the Santiago Bernabéu, unprecedented since the goodbye of Lionel “Leo” Messi, with a masterful tactical lesson from Hansi Flick in their first classic, to confirm their greatness in a week in which they settled accounts with Bayern Munich in ‘Champions’ and dealt a hard blow by beating the current champion of the EA Sports Spanish Soccer League 4-0 in their stadium, a Real Madrid without a punch that cut its record at 42 games without losing.
In the opposite polarity to his reference, Johan Cruyff, who surprised in his visits to the Bernabéu with some caution in tactical modifications, Flick’s first classic reaffirmed his style book in a Barcelona to which he has restored the appearance of a big team against any rival and in any scenario. The advanced defensive line marked a duel that regained all its greatness. He relied on goals from Robert Lewandowski (54′ and 76′), Lamine Yamal (77′) and Raphinha (84′) to obtain an away victory that was undeniable.
The Barça permanent risk, exposed to any failure of defenses examined in each long ball. Trying at the same time to be precise in the clearance and not lose sight of the movements behind him of Vinícius, Bellingham or Mbappé. Pau Cubarsí was nervous at times in the test that resulted in El Clásico due to Carlo Ancelotti’s order to play directly. A Barcelona that defended from possession. Where Pedri’s criteria appeared, as powerful in stopping a counterattack by Valverde throwing himself onto the grass, as well as plenty of personality with the ball. Marc Casadó’s temperament against ‘giants’.
Madrid goal
Real Madrid jumped in with the aim of curing their illness from the first half but their rushing start resulted in continuous offsides by Mbappé, eager to be the main protagonist in his first classic. Each canceled action was a warning. There would be a moment when his position would be legal and nothing would stop him like the VAR did after half an hour. A goal already celebrated, with the vision of Lucas to uncheck the Frenchman who made a quality save when Iñaki Peña left. When that happened, it failed.
Flick’s non-negotiable philosophy gave him control of the game, feeling like he was walking on the wire after losing and exhibiting superiority with the ball. Lamine Yamal appeared, always ready to face and filter dangerous passes like the one he put to Lewandowski who shot the first shot into the air. Also Raphinha, selfish for feeling at his best, plenty of confidence to shoot from the edge of the area with Balde only to score.
Real Madrid was missing a footballer with personality who could take a step forward with the ball in the center of the field. His game went directly from the defense to the unchecking of the forwards, with Mbappé installed in the offside by millimeters and Vinícius appearing before Koundé but forgiving when he lost his balance. He launched a feint at Cubarsí but with everything to score and Kylian to push her, he tried to deceive Iñaki Peña to shoot into the side of the net.
From the display of leadership and punch in the ‘Champions’, Vinícius moved to frustration with an action that would have changed the course. Because Real Madrid lacked success in finishing. Mbappé forgave a bad clearance when Iñaki Peña left his area, trying it 30 meters away without finding a goal. When he did it it was always disallowed for offside and the first shot did not arrive until game time.
Flick’s plan was working perfectly. He minimized the danger near his rival’s area and it was a matter of time before one of his attacks ended in a goal. Lunin punched out a shot from Pedri, Militao saved a tense pass from Raphinha to Lewandowski, alone in the goal area, Íñigo Martínez headed up. The German coach found the key at half-time. He withdrew Fermín, introduced De Jong and advanced Pedri to an area of greater influence.
Collapse that benefited Barcelona
He found an unexpected collapse of the champion in his stadium without a response from Ancelotti on the board. From a defense that failed after a start between balls to Lunin’s limbo. With a midfield without anyone to bring the ball down and make the team play, dependent more than ever on an isolated individual action from Vinícius or Mbappé. And thus came the difference between a coordinated online defense, that of Barcelona, and a bad example of positioning. A simple pass from Casadó helped Mendy get hooked and Lewandowski easily beat Lunin one-on-one.
It was the beginning of a recital. The accounts of the last four classics of Madrid superiority were settled with a crushing Barcelona presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu. In four minutes the classic was sentenced. The time that separated Lewandowski’s double, who reached 14 goals in 11 days with a free header from Balde’s measured pass.
For the second consecutive game, Real Madrid was forced to perform and on this occasion they lacked both success in finishing and faith. He never believed in those European comebacks transferred to LaLiga. No matter how many chances Mbappé had, he was denied, and with a second goal disallowed due to an illegal position.
You could smell the victory because with Real Madrid overturned, all their defensive deficiencies appeared with spaces. Lewandowski forgave two very clear goals, the first into an empty goal by shooting at the post, and between errors in the shot by Bellingham, failed this season, and Mbappé, the goal arrived that made Yamal the youngest scorer in the history of the match, defining with quality up, and the end of the Barça party deserved by Raphinha in another lethal counterattack that exposed all the shames of the champion before his fans.
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**Interview with Football Analyst, Javier Martín**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Javier. Let’s dive right into Barcelona’s recent performance against Real Madrid. It seems they put on quite a tactical masterclass under Hansi Flick. What can you tell us about Flick’s approach in this match?
**Javier Martín:** Absolutely, it was a remarkable display by Barcelona. Hansi Flick’s tactical acumen was on full display, especially considering he was facing the daunting task of his first El Clásico. Unlike Johan Cruyff, who often approached these matches with careful tactics, Flick went in with a bold strategy, ensuring that Barcelona regained their identity as a competitive force. The advanced defensive line really pressured Real Madrid and allowed Barcelona to control the game from possession.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned possession. How critical was it for Barcelona’s success in this match?
**Javier Martín:** Very critical. Barcelona’s ability to maintain possession disrupted Real Madrid’s attempts to build their attack. Players like Pedri showcased exceptional game sense, not only in acquiring the ball but also in breaking up counterattacks, making it difficult for Real to find their rhythm. Their possession game combined with direct attacking players like Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal offered a well-coordinated offensive structure.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Lewandowski and the young talent Lamine Yamal, how instrumental were they in securing this victory?
**Javier Martín:** Lewandowski was, as expected, pivotal with two goals. His experience and finishing ability under pressure are what you rely on in big games. As for Lamine Yamal, he is a breath of fresh air. His confidence and skill to navigate tight defensive situations opened up avenues for other attackers. His assist to Lewandowski, which started with a brilliant pass, underscores the depth of talent in this Barcelona squad.
**Interviewer:** On the flip side, what went wrong for Real Madrid in this match?
**Javier Martín:** Real Madrid struggled with their offensive coherence. They seemed to lack a player who could take the initiative in midfield and create play. Mbappé was often caught offside, signaling a disconnect in the attacking unit, and their efforts to hit back quickly led to missed opportunities. Ancelotti’s side didn’t adapt well after half-time, which is unusual for a team of their caliber. Their failure to address defensive frailties was eventually punished.
**Interviewer:** The match ultimately ended in a 2-1 victory for Barcelona. What implications do you think this match will have moving forward for both teams?
**Javier Martín:** For Barcelona, this win is a statement that they can compete at high levels again despite recent challenges. It reinforces Flick’s philosophy and builds necessary momentum. For Real Madrid, this loss may serve as a wake-up call. They need to refocus and address their midfield dynamics if they want to maintain their status as title contenders. This results in a crucial learning opportunity for Ancelotti and the team.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Javier, for your insightful analysis on this thrilling classic. We look forward to seeing how both teams progress in the coming weeks!
**Javier Martín:** My pleasure, thank you for having me!
**Javier Martín:** Real Madrid struggled to find their footing for several reasons. Firstly, their attacking approach was chaotic; they appeared rushed and failed to establish a coherent game plan. Players like Mbappé were caught offside multiple times, indicating a lack of synchronization within the forward line.
Additionally, Madrid’s midfield seemed absent at times, lacking a player who could effectively transition the ball forward and control the pace of the game. Their reliance on individual brilliance from players like Vinícius or Mbappé proved insufficient against a well-organized Barcelona defensive line. When they did push forward, they left themselves vulnerable to counterattacks, which Barcelona exploited brilliantly. Their overall complacency and lack of clinical finishing added to their woes, leading to missed opportunities and a heavy defeat.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a perfect storm of issues for Madrid. What do you think they need to address moving forward from this match?
**Javier Martín:** Madrid needs to reassess their tactical setup and find a way to integrate a creative midfield presence that can dictate the flow of the game. They must also work on their attacking cohesion; players need to sync better to avoid repeated offside calls and create more legitimate goal-scoring chances. Lastly, an improvement in mental resilience is crucial. They need to believe in their ability to compete fiercely, especially after such a setback. A strong response in their upcoming matches will be necessary to restore confidence and assert themselves in La Liga.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Javier. It’ll be interesting to see how both teams adapt after this clash.
**Javier Martín:** Thank you for having me! It’s always fascinating to analyze such monumental matches, and I’m looking forward to the future developments in both squads.
