KArim Benzema, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo all scored as Real Madrid easily defeated Barcelona at home in “El Clasico” on Sunday to take the lead in LaLiga.
Following a midweek draw with Inter Milan, Barca and manager Xavi Hernandez were already facing elimination from the Champions League. The result was another setback for them.
Real are now on top of standings on 25 points, three ahead of Barca.
As he sought to avoid a recurrence of the result between the teams in March, when he put midfielder Luka Modric up front only to get destroyed 4-0 by the Catalans, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti declared on the eve of the game that he was not going to spin the wheel.
His starting selection was predictable; he left the creative thinking to his Barca opponent Xavi.
He decided to start Sergi Roberto as a full back on the right and rush back defender Jules Kounde, who has recently been nursing a hamstring injury, to cover the Brazilian while leaving midfielder Gavi on the bench. He did this because he was aware of the threat that the in-form Vinicius Jr presented from the left wing.
The visitors’ tactic did not succeed because Vinicius was a dominant force on that flank and frequently broke free to go down the left channel.
Vinicius’ unrelenting speed and Toni Kroos’ deft passes allowed Real to create numerous opportunities, including the first two goals, for which Barca had no answer.
The pair combined with nice one-touch passes in the build-up to Benzema’s opener with the France striker finishing into the empty goal on the rebound, after goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen denied Vinicius from close range in the 12th minute.
Ten minutes before halftime, Valverde found space on the edge of the box while unmarked and sent a shot beyond the goalie after Vinicius took advantage of a slip-up by defender Eric Garcia.
Other than two early strikes by Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha, Real were barely threatened by their lifeless opponents until the final minutes, when substitute Ferran Torres reduced the deficit with a close-range strike into an empty net from Robert Lewandowski’s low cross.
However, in extra time, replacement Rodrygo, who had been tripped by Garcia inside the area, grabbed the points from the penalty spot.
The referee did not give the foul at first, but was alerted by the VAR and, after checking the video, gave Real the penalty.
It was an amazing afternoon in a packed stadium with our fans creating a fantastic vibe, and we are thrilled not only for the win but also for the way we played, Modric told DAZN.
We were aware that there would be a point in the game where we would have to suffer because of how skillfully they handled the ball. At that point, we had to play a good defence and endure the pain, and we succeeded in doing so.
“We are quite pleased with the match since we were then very powerful up front. Today, we created a fantastic game. “.
Real Madrid moves to the top after defeating Barcelona 3-1
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