Jude Bellingham’s outstanding performance earned Real Madrid three points over Xavi’s dominant Barcelona in El Clasico.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have taken El Clásico by storm.
While the Catalan giants are unbeaten in all competitions, Los Blancos top the table with just one defeat so far.
Given the recent performance of both teams, a fierce match was expected.
But in reality it was half a game. The first half was clearly Barcelona’s game.
They scored early in the game thanks to Ilkay Gundogan and created plenty of chances to make it 2-0.
Unfortunately, when Real Madrid rarely had the ball, all they could do was score and dominate. The second half belonged to Real.
Thanks to a few substitutions, the guests loved it.
The Whites put Xavi’s side on the back foot and scored thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham. Overall, the Catalan giants were the better team on the day, creating plenty of chances but failing to convert them.
And if you don’t take risks against teams like Real Madrid, you will pay the price sooner or later.
Bellingham equalized with a long-range strike and then added another in stoppage time to end Barcelona’s unbeaten run and give Carlo Ancelotti’s side three points.
Hard Tackle offers three main explanations for this setting.
He replaced Luka Modric
⚪️🇭🇷It’s worth mentioning how Luka Modric was at Real Madrid’s worst moment during El Clasico… and then the game changed.
Quality, leadership, professionalism.
⭐️38 years and 47 days — he becomes the oldest player to participate in El Clásico.
football legend pic.twitter.com/AX229tveAO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 28, 2023
The situation was at a disadvantage for Real Madrid, who fell behind and were unable to break down Barcelona’s defence.
That’s when Carlo Ancelotti decided to call on his 38-year-old master, Luka Modric.
Toni Kroos emerged as the Ballon d’Or winner in the 63rd minute and his impact was immediate.
The tempo of the game changed with the arrival of Modric. He was all over the court and forced the players around him to play faster.
The joy of the Catalan giants, who turned the ball over and controlled the pace of the game, knew no bounds.
But the arrival of Modric changed everything and Xavi remained on the sidelines.
He asked the players to slow down the pace of the game.
But the reins were in Modric’s hands and he set the pace of this game after coming off the bench.
The fast pace of the game created space for the Real Madrid players.
Less than five minutes after the Croatian arrived, Bellingham scored the 38-year-old’s overtime winner.
The substitution had a huge impact on the outcome of the match and the experienced Ballon d’Or winner showed his class once again.
Gabi vs. Bellingham
Jude Bellingham and Gabi after El Clásico🤝
The performance of both players is amazing hahapic.twitter.com/XK16ElmRvJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 28, 2023
Heading into the Clásico, Bellingham was Real Madrid’s most important player.
He was their main target and everything seemed to go through him.
Barcelona understood this well and Xavi entrusted teenage sensation Gabi with the responsibility of keeping the England team in check.
The 19-year-old Spain international had a special day at the office.
It was everywhere in Bellingham.
The Real Madrid midfielder did not have enough time to make an impact.
He was destroyed within seconds of receiving the ball.
Gabi received support from those around him and went a long way in calming down the former Borussia Dortmund star. The Spanish national team won the match between the two players.
But in the end, Bellingham came out on top.
The 20-year-old England international had little impact in the first half.
However, the situation changed after the signing of Luka Modric.
Even though the tempo of the game changed, Gavi still had Bellingham in his pocket.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund star was given a little more space than before, which was enough to determine the credibility of this match.
In the 68th minute the ball fell into his path and he put it into the top right corner from 30 meters. The 20-year-old scored the winning goal in regulation time.
He made a late run into the box after a touch from Modric, the ball fell into his path and he slotted home to win the match.
Barcelona’s dominance
🔵🔴Xavi: “I don’t think even a draw can show what we saw on the pitch”.
“I think we played to win, but we lost.
It wasn’t a good result, but I think we played well.
Thanks to the referee, we didn’t lose,” he said.
“The goal is to win the race and it’s not over yet.” pic.twitter.com/Pi08cJ6j1e
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 28, 2023
The stats might say it was a draw, but the reality is that Barcelona were the dominant team most of the time.
They may have lost, but the hosts had many positives.
The Catalan giants dominated the ball and were very difficult to break down.
Los Blancos had a total of 13 shots on goal, but most came from inside the penalty area. They never created any real opportunities.
The first goal was a shot from the middle and the defense was never to blame.
And for the second goal, a poor touch from Modric saw the ball bounce past Inigo Martinez and into Bellingham’s path in front of the six-yard box.
The hosts’ possession, solid defense and free-flowing attack are signs of great things to come.
Because in reality Xavi didn’t have the best team on the field.
Several of his star players have been injured and several of them are back from injury in this match against Merengers.
Robert Lewandowski and Rafinha returned to action against Real Madrid, with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Jules Kounde expected to join them soon. Their return will make the Catalan giants a much more dangerous team.
Their youngsters are making big strides and that will only help them as they now have the depth they need to challenge for a major title.
Barcelona put in an impressive performance in El Clásico.
They are missing several key players and will be expected to bounce back from this loss once they adjust.
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