The Aftermath From El Clásico.

A week has passed since Barça crushed Real Madrid 0-4 at the Santiago Bernabéu. The lasting effect from that outcome has rejuvenated Barça while Madrid are still in a state of unpleasantness.

Barça’s domination of Real Madrid in their own Santiago Bernabéu was one for the ages for Blaugrana fans, and one that will haunt Madrid fans for a long time. El Clásico is usually a hard fought battle between two arch enemies regardless of form and league position in the standings. Yet, Barça’s 0-4 win seemed pedestrian without any bad blood. It was one sided from the opening whistle to the final whistle.

Barça have had a few great victories of such magnitude against Real Madrid in the Bernabéu in the last few decades. There is the 0-5 “Manita” in Cruyff’s first Clásico in the 70’s, perhaps the 2-3 win during the 97-98 season, the Ronaldinho inspired 0-3 performance and the legendary 2-6 win during the 2008-2009 season that felt like a separate trophy in itself during the treble season and now, the 0-4 victory will go down as another successful triumph on enemy ground.

Following that victory, Barça routed Roma 6-1 and Real Sociedad 4-0 in successive matches this week. Confidence is at an all-time high and praise was being bestowed on many of the players, including the magnificent trident of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez. All the players performed well and made their manager, Luis Enrique, very proud. The only sour note was Barça not getting the fifth goal to add another “Manita” to the history pages of this rivalry. Nonetheless, for me, this felt like a “Manita” even though only four goals were scored, the fact that this took place in the Santiago Bernabéu can be considered as the fifth goal.

Meanwhile, this loss just magnified the issues that continue to plague Real Madrid this season. Is this a team built to win or a team built to make money? Does the manager have the final say on who plays or the president? It was surprising to see Casemiro on the bench and not in the starting eleven and the end result was Iniesta running rampant and earning applause from the Madrid fans after he was substituted in the second half. While everyone is praising the harmony between Barça manager and players, the opposite was being discussed about the state of discord facing Real Madrid. Is Ronaldo unhappy and planning on leaving? Is Benzema’s mind distracted because of his involvement of a sex tape blackmail scandal? Do players like Rafa Benítez? Can Ronaldo and Bale co-exist? Is Rafa going to get sacked?

Madrid’s drama increased when their four goal lead against Shakhtar Donetsk was reduced to one as the Ukrainian side scored three unanswered goals to lose 3-4. They also looked sluggish during their 2-0 away win to Eibar. All is not well in Madrid while Barça and their fans are in a state of Euphoria. However, last season showed us that it’s not how you start, but how you finish. Madrid won the first clash last season and were on top of the world before their season burned into the ground with a trophyless season. What’s to say history won’t repeat itself and see Barça finish empty handed down the stretch?

Nevertheless, one feels that Barça can weather the storm if the wheels start coming off based on their style that they have learned over the years coupled with the new tweaks from Luis Enrique. The manager and the players have been on the same page since that infamous Sociedad loss back in January. The same cannot be said about Real Madrid. If the wheels start coming off, expect more drama from the Madrid press and discord between the players, the manager and the club president. There is a great expression we use in the US that applies to Madrid; “Winning is a great deodorant.” A few wins and perhaps everything will be fine in Madrid and this loss will be forgotten. But the attitude right now is that Barça got their mojo and Madrid is in search of an identity before they can get their mojo.

Barça’s Nightmare in the Santiago Bernabéu.

Barça’s trip to Madrid under first year manager Luis Enrique was a nightmare for both team and manager. Mistakes in tactics and his reaction in the aftermath has some Blaugrana fans concerned about the team’s future. The good news is that Barça is still in first place but the question is for how long?

Luis Enrique’s first visit to the Santiago Bernabéu as a Barça manager made for great stories. However, his past was irrelevant since he managed at this venue for Celta Vigo last season. Barça came to the Spanish capital with a four point lead and were looking to expand it to seven. Luis Enrique opted to start Mathieu over Jordi Alba and the same midfield trio of Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta while giving Luis Suarez his first competitive start with Neymar and Messi.

The first El Clásico of the year started off with a bang for Barça but soon ended with a thud. It didn’t take long for Suarez’s to make his presence felt after delivering a superb pass to set up Neymar for the opening goal four minutes into the match. He also set up Messi on a great scoring chance which forced Casillas to pull off a great save to deny Messi from doubling their lead. For Blaugrana fans, there was not much left to remember from this match. Barça seemed like pedestrians out there after Madrid had a 2-1 lead that grew into a 3-1 lead.

I had expressed some reservations, or concerns if you would like, about Luis Enrique. This was his second test after that defeat to PSG and sadly, he failed this test too.  Lucho’s “Plan A” has flattered to deceive and there were doubts if there actually was a genuine “Plan B”. Well, “Plan A” sputtered to create many chances and the team seemed to fade away in the second half. “Plan B” was never presented for us to reflect on. The plan of attack was for the fullbacks to attack down the wings and have the midfielders cover for them. The only problem was Lucho had the wrong personnel to put this plan into action. Xavi and Iniesta are not the same as they were back in 2008-2009 season. Lots of games and age will do that to a player’s body. Alves was not an offensive factor and only defended well when Madrid sat back while Mathieu tried his best but was abysmal in the final third of the pitch. It was asking a lot for Busquets to cover all that exposed space seeing as he is not known as a fast player and so soon after recovering from an injury.

I also addressed my concerns about the defending of this team. The clean sheet records was one of the biggest misleading statistics coming into this match. Barça kept clean sheets but their defending left much to desire. For some seasons now, Barça have been plagued with subpar defending stemming from mistakes and lack of personnel. Lucho opted to go with Pique and Mascherano as center backs, ignoring what had transpired in the last league Clásico that was played in the same venue. I had warned that Benzema was a threat, especially after he terrorized Barça last season when he scored two goals in the first half in this stadium and could have had more in that game. So it came as no surprise that he scored yet again following a mix up between Iniesta and Mascherano that resulted in a counter attack from which Benzema scored his fifth league Clásico goal at home. Pique’s clumsiness resulted in a penalty for handling the ball while sloppy defending resulted in Pepe being left unmarked during a corner kick goal.

The 3-1 loss left a bitter taste for the Blaugrana faithful. Lucho was supposed to usher in a new era but instead, we saw flashbacks to eliminations by the hands of Bayern and Atlético. Fans weren’t happy and the media was ready to pounce on Lucho. We all thought the nightmare ended in Madrid but Lucho’s press conference yesterday just prolonged it.

When confronted by the media, Lucho went on the defensive. His answers regarding Messi allegedly taking injections, Vermaelen’s recovery, and Mathieu’s statement that he was surprised to find out he was going to start as a left back, were poorly dealt. He should have dealt with those questions with calm but instead came off annoyed. This was the last thing we needed following the defeat to Real Madrid.

Personally, I had some concerns with Mathieu’s statement that he was surprised that he going to start as a left back. Lucho had mentioned before that he would inform which goalkeeper was going to start the match two hours prior to kickoff. One can hope that Lucho did do the same in a game of this magnitude. Based on what I saw from Mathieu, where he seemed to struggle to whip in a cross, did Lucho try this out in training to see how he would perform offensively? Only time will tell if Lucho is an enigma or man with a plan.

This disappointing defeat to Real Madrid meant that Barça are still in first place with a tough schedule ahead along with teams breathing down their necks. They will be hosting Celta Vigo and Sevilla and traveling to Valencia along with traveling to Amsterdam and Cyprus to face Ajax and APOEL this month. Lucho has failed his first two big tests. This month will be his third test. Will he be able to keep his team atop of the league standings and will he ensure his team will get maximum points in those two Champions League encounters for the decisive final  match against PSG that will decide who will win the group?

I know it’s early into the season and I am a firm believer of it’s not how you start, but it’s how you finish. Lucho has time on his side but what he does not have, is the patience of fans that are waiting to be impressed on a consistent basis.

El Clásico: Evaluation Time for both Barça and Real Madrid.

Following just eight matches, El Clásico rears its heads for both Barça and Madrid. Both clubs have had their tests already but this is their mid-term exam. Have both teams addressed what their teams are lacking or is still there work to do? Come Saturday, we will know if there will be more questions or answers presented to the world.

This Saturday is Lucho’s mid-term exam, or evaluation, as Barça’s manager. Thus far, Barça are currently league leaders, four points ahead of Real Madrid and are in second place in their Champions League group stage. They have yet to concede a goal in league play but have conceded four in Champions League play. Lucho’s first test was during the September stretch where Barça drew with Malaga and lost to PSG. Lucho’s tactics came into question during that time where it was believed his Plan A was inadequate and his Plan B was non-existent. Merely swapping players in similar positions is not a Plan B. However, we are still unsure of his Plan A since he still has not had use of all his players. That will change this Saturday.

Contrary to the insistence of the Madrid press that Luis Suarez cannot play this Saturday, the Uruguayan international is set to make his first competitive debut for Barça in the biggest game possible. Perhaps we will see Lucho’s Plan A after all now that he has Messi, Neymar and Suarez available. I am curious to see what Lucho plans to do with “The South American Connection” on Saturday. Messi and Neymar are in fine form heading into this game so will Lucho start with Suarez and play him for 45-60 minutes or go with Pedro and then bring him on as a second half sub? My big concern is how will he react when he meets the likes of Pepe and not lose his head if confronted. I am also curious to see how Suarez’s inclusion will affect the rest of the team. Will the defense be less shaky now that he’s there and not rely too much on the fullbacks attacking? Even though Barça has yet to concede a goal in league play, they came close to on several occasions. Lucho has to wonder which of his players will center the heart of the defense along with Dani Alves and Jordi Alba. Lucho needs to figure out if Mascherano should start ahead of Busquets who has recovered from a hip injury.

Meanwhile, Madrid have had a “Más o menos“ start to the season. They did win the UEFA Super Cup but lost the Supercopa against Atlético. They also suffered a hiccup of their own when they squandered a two goal lead after allowing Real Sociedad to score four unanswered goals in a 4-2 loss. Real Madrid also didn’t do so well on their first big test when they lost to Atlético in the Santiago Bernabéu back in September. This was the third consecutive time that Ancelotti could not defeat Atlético in league play. He has yet to taste victory against Atlético or Barça in league play and one wonders what pressure he will face if he loses to Barça at home again and Los Blancos find themselves four points behind.

The other issue for Madrid is whether or not they are a better team without Alonso and Di Maria. Alonso gave them the bite they needed in the midfield while Di Maria was sensational and their workhorse down the stretch. Hands down, Di Maria was their best player towards the end of the season. Now, both are gone, along with Diego Lopez, and one has to wonder if this Madrid team has the proper team to face Barça. Are they too finesse or can they, especially Kroos, Rodriguez and Modric, defend and win the ball back without the likes of Alonso present? The fact that some consider Bale’s absence, through injury, a blessing since this means Isco can play, says something. As good as Bale is offensively, he does hurt this team defensively.

Speaking of defense, Madrid have conceded more goals, nine, than all the other top six teams in the league and have allowed far too many scoring chances than they should have. So both Barça and Madrid have their work cut out for them on the defensive side of the pitch. One wonders if this will be a box to box goal fest or will both sides be a bit conservative in their style to protect themselves?

Of course, for many, Saturday means it is Messi vs Ronaldo again. Both are gunning to be the best and to be the best, you have to win. I’ve said all that has to be said about Messi. Words cannot adequately describe what he has accomplished for Barça and Argentina. He has a shot at becoming La Liga’s all-time goal scorer and what better venue to do that then at the Santiago Bernabéu. He surpassed Di Stefano as the all-time top scorer in El Clásico in Madrid last season, so can he also surpass Zarra and become all-time scorer in league history in the same venue this Saturday?

Ronaldo is also one of the most dangerous goal scorers I have ever seen and is lethal when surrounded by the right talent. Now, ever since Ronaldo joined Real Madrid, his team has won only once on home soil in league play. Barça on the other hand have won three times at the Santiago Bernabéu during that same span. I, however think the player that Barça need to watch out for is Benzema. He has scored four goals against the Blaugrana on home soil from open play, while Ronaldo has only two goals, both from the spot. Benzema is a vital player for this team, even if he is not scoring. His presence is a cause of concern for defenders and last season, he could have scored a hat trick and more in the first half alone against Barça. Will Barça be ready to deal with him this time?

As a Barça fan, I am not sure what will happen on Saturday. I recall them losing 4-1 in this stadium the year they won the Champions League title in 2006, and they won at this stadium under Tata Martino last season. I do believe they can win at the Santiago Bernabéu. Last season, Iniesta said, “It’s hard to believe there are Barça fans who don’t believe in us. This team has won the right to the fans’ trust – sure we’ve had off days, but nobody should think Madrid are going to find us an easy prospect”. Well said Iniesta and here’s hoping that there is no off day in Madrid come Saturday.