Three Takeaways from Real Madrid’s 3-0 El Clásico Defeat

Real Madrid suffered humilation in El Clasico this afternoon, losing 3-0 to Barcelona in the Bernabeu. Here are three takeaways from the game.

Madrid’s Capitulation

The starting lineup had filled me and many other Madridistas with alot of optimism. An extra man in midfield would give much needed cover in defense and tighten an spaces that Messi could work in. The Argentian has contributed 21 (16 goals and 5 assists) of Barcelona 45 league goals, thats 46% of Barcelona La Liga goals coming directly from Messi. For 45 minutes we got exactly what we wanted, Messi was quiet and had Madrid dominated possesion.

The second half was the polar oppisite, the structure that was such a big positive from the first half disappeared, the squad looked disinterested in keeping the ball and even less interested in winning back, the first Barcelona goal demonstrates this. Casimero had bundled forward, with no one covering the space he left behind. When Barcelona regained possesion, Rackitic broke into this space. No one took responsiblity for the Croatian.

This lazy, disinterested approach from Madrid is presence on all of Barcelona goals. Varane half hearted attempt to stop the pull back which led to Carvajal conceding a penalty. Marcelo not closing down Messi in the lead up to the third goal. All of these were preventivable if Madrid were switched on, they are even more preventiable if you adhere to the game plan from the first half in the second.