El Clásico? Suárez Hatter Helps Barça Destroy Real Madrid
Kinda weird.
This was the first El Clásico without either of the game's biggest names on the pitch:
- Lionel Messi, who had no choice in the matter, was watching from the Camp Nou stands, and
- Cristiano Ronaldo, who did have a choice, may have been watching in Turin.
Barcelona can't say that Messi was missed. As to Real Madrid ...
Yes, the Catalans absolutely destroyed the European Champions, in a 5-1 victory, but it's quite arguable that Real had a hand in blowing themselve up.
Clearly, the Galactico section of Madrid is in deep crisis, what with Ronaldo's latest comments on why he left being published and Julen Lopetegui being sacked.
Speaking of doing it to oneself, to think dude essentially gave up managing his country's side for this gig.
It's been that sorta start this season for Real.
So maybe this result shoulda been expected.
Barça got the show on the road early in the first half -- as in the 11th minute -- through Brazilian Philippe Coutinho, who found Jordi Alba as Luis Suárez went into the box with Coutinho.
The Uruguayan distracted Real's alleged defenders while Alba passed to Coutinho, who let fly past Thibaut Courtois from the spot. Bingo:
Barça was in total control at this point, so the second was just a matter of time.
It came in the 30th when Suárez was brought down in the box by Raphaël Varane and the referee pointed at the spot. Suárez himself stepped up and doubled the lead:
After the break, Lopetegui changed his formation to a 3-5-2, seeking to make Marcelo play a major role in Real’s attack. And it worked.
In the 50th, after a bitta confusion inside Barcelona’s area, the Brazilian left back was there to slot home past Marc-André ter Stegen:
After the goal, Real Madrid threw everything forward in a quick attempt to equalize but was harshly reminded that patience is a virtue.
Carelessness pays a price.
In the 75th, substitute Ousmane Dembélé took advantage, delivering a perfect pass to Sergi Roberto. who perfectly crossed to Suárez, who headed home:
Eight minutes later, Roberto was again involved. Dude robbed Sergio Ramos and found -- who else? -- Suárez, one-on-one with Courtois.
The Uruguayan smartly looped the ball over Real's Belgian 'keeper, scored his hat trick, and ignited a Camp Nou eruption:
Four minutes later, the Catalans wrapped it up.
Dembélé ran to the left wing and released Arturo Vidal on the far through a precise cross. The Chilean was in perfect position to nod home, completing the massacre:
Word is Real's gonna take a run at Antonio Conte, who wants a two-year deal.
According to the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) rules, they've got just two weeks to have a manager in place.
This time, they'd better be right.