In what’s going to lengthy be remembered as an El Clasico traditional on Saturday evening, Barcelona laid down a sensational title marker as they stormed their solution to a well-known 4-0 romp away at arch-rivals Actual Madrid.
With Los Blancos trying to lengthen their unbeaten La Liga tally to 43 home appearances on the bounce, summer time recruit and French icon Kylian Mbappe had a first-half strike dominated out by VAR.
Nevertheless, whereas Barca may need failed to interrupt the deficit previous to the half-time break, Hansi Flick’s new-look squad got here flying out of the traps as they made what was a outstanding assertion.
With Polish talisman Robert Lewandowski producing a scientific end simply 9 minutes after getting back from the interval, the ex-Bayern Munich marksmen doubled Barcelona’s lead simply moments later.
Dominating throughout the pitch and breezing previous the defending champions, issues solely acquired higher for Flick’s high-flying squad as teenage sensation Lamine Yamal drove into the highest nook from an angle, together with his objective making him the youngest-ever scorer in El Clasico.
Former Leeds star Raphinha then lobbed a fourth late on for his first objective towards Actual Madrid as Barcelona stormed their solution to a six-point hole on the high of the La Liga desk.
On an evening when Barca laid down what was an iconic title assertion, we have now taken a have a look at the principle speaking factors from Saturday’s El Clasico.
Flick cements his spot as a contemporary period hero in Catalonia
Though some round Catalonia may need been shocked over the summer time as Flick was formally introduced as Xavi’s permeant substitute, Barcelona have launched into what has turn into a outstanding rise beneath the German tactician.
Storming their solution to a surprising 4-1 romp at residence towards German giants Bayern Munich earlier within the week, the temper of their camp was actually at a red-hot excessive heading into Sunday’s journey to the capital.
Now mustering 30 factors from simply their first 11 La Liga appearances thus far this season, Barca have additionally gained a fearsome fame for his or her scientific performances within the closing third.
Marking their return from October’s worldwide break with a 5-1 victory towards Sevilla final weekend, Flick’s facet have recorded an astonishing 13 objectives throughout all competitions since getting back from the fortnight interval.
Ending this weekend’s fixtures and set to log off October holding a six-point buffer over Los Blancos and the remainder of the chasing pack, Barcelona have underlined their standing as considered one of Europe’s actual shock packages since opening up the brand new marketing campaign.
Lewandowski continues to disclaim time
Whereas Barcelona may need continued to shine with their rugged performances on the again since Flick’s arrival in Catalonia over the summer time, it has been their attacking icon who has stolen loads of Barcelona’s headlines this season.
Though there may need been loads of hypothesis over the summer time that Lewandowski could possibly be the following European famous person heading over to Saudi Arabia, the previous Bayern Munich record-breaker made it clear that he had little interest in leaving the Nou Camp.
Whereas Lewandowski may need turned 36 again in August, the 156-cap worldwide is arguably having fun with the type of his illustrious profession and seems to be cruising his solution to Spain’s Golden Boot this season.
Bagging what was a sensational fast hearth double right here and silencing the house help, Flick was crammed with reward for the previous Ballon d’Or contender and it’s no secret that Lewandowski has a number one function to play throughout all fronts.
Together with notching three objectives in as many Champions League appearances this season, Barca’s hanging icon has additionally registered 14 objectives in simply his first 11 La Liga showdowns.
Ancelotti has severe questions that want answering
Whereas Actual Madrid may need mounted a dramatic Champions League comeback within the capital earlier within the week as they finally snatched a 5-2 win towards Borussia Dortmund, Los Blancos drastically failed to make use of that second-half flurry as a platform to construct on.
Enduring what’s going to lengthy be remembered as a public nightmare on Sunday evening, Carlo Ancelotti’s camp shall be greater than conscious that they face an amazing backlash over the approaching days.
With the previous AC Milan boss issuing a public apology to the Los Blancos help following their notorious 4-0 drumming, the defending champions nonetheless have loads of questions that want answering.
Though Madrid may need welcomed Mbappe to the Bernabeu over the summer time in what was an earth-shattering transfer, Ancelotti’s facet already discover themselves sat six factors adrift of Barcelona and so they have continued to point out some prolonged defensive points.
Together with a shock 1-0 loss away at French outfit Lille on October 2nd, Los Blancos have now recorded only a sole clear sheet from any of their earlier eight appearances throughout all competitions.
Match Report
Actual Madrid: Lunin, Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy, Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Garcia, Modric, Diaz
Barcelona: Pena, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde, Pedri, Casado, Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha, Lewandowski
Subs: Gavi, Olmo, de Jong
Targets: Lewandowski (54’, 56’), Yamal (77’), Raphinha (84’)
Yellow Playing cards: Actual Madrid: Militao, Vinicius Junior – Barcelona: Martinez, Kounde, Casado, Pena, Gavi
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Jose María Sánchez Martinez
