LA FAMILIA BLAUGRANA
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El Clasico clamping clinches La Liga as Barca brutalise ruinous Real.
“This title is more special for winning it at home against Madrid. Now we have to enjoy it with the fans.”
El Clasico in Barcelona. The world’s most famous footballing rivalry set to do battle once again, and this one came with added spice. When the two met back in October, it was Madrid with the upper hand. A narrow victory had lifted Los Blancos five points clear in the early La Liga running, and, for all intents and purposes, many would’ve thought it was to be their year. However, like many great empires, they destroyed themselves from within. Inflated egos, fistfights, media leaks, fired managers, sneak dissing teammates on social media…the list goes on. The tide turned in the most almighty of ways. A Barcelona victory today would secure La Blaugrana back-to-back league titles.
The Nou Camp Nou, now known as the Spotify Camp Nou for sponsorship rights, was about to see its first men’s Clasico since redevelopment. While an impressive feat of hybrid neoclassical/modernist architecture, last season’s stand-in of Estadi Olympic just wasn’t built for football like that. Mulling over the return strategy, club president, Joan Laporta doubled down on his commercial model. El Clasico logo sponsors have reshaped global marketability, with a whole host of stars adorning the famous jersery. Stan groups become Culers for the week and profits explode, as limited edition kits sell like hotcakes. This time around, it was the turn of popstar Olivia Rodrigo. The injured Lamine Yamal not exactly shy to spark up conversation.
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As previously mentioned, Real Madrid have been in something of a shambles lately. In summation, Fede Valverde was to miss this match due to a concussion. Many in the press speculated that he and Aurelien Tchouameni had come to blows in a training session, with the former falling and cracking open his head. A trip to the hospital necessary. As for star man Kylian Mbappe, a lingering hamstring issue yet again saw him sidelined. Having been photographed on holiday in Italy with movie star girlfriend Ester Exposito, many Madridistas have questioned his desire to return. With nothing but domestic pride to play for before this summer’s World Cup, perhaps their jugdement isn’t entirely misplaced. Oh, and the Mbappe Out petition now has over forty-six million signatures, so there’s that as well.
Vinicus Jr and Jude Bellingham might not let it be known clearly, but their social media posts after last week’s victory over Espanyol reiterated a united focus and could’ve been taken as extremely passive agressive towards a certain teammate’s lax attitude. Besides that; club captain Dani Carvajal is frustrated over a lack of contract extension, Arda Guler is upset about what he percieves. to be an unfair number of substitutions on his name, Alvaro Carreras is irrated about his gametime, Endrick was sent on loan to Lyon where he is currently playing better than most of Real’s used squad, and…
Marcus Rashford has absolutely leathered a free-kick top bins. Barcelona lead after ten minutes.
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Even with the fit again Thibaut Courtois replacig back-up goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, there was no way that the big Belgian was getting to such a lethal strike. Barca had started with their foot to the gas in front of an expectant home crowd, and the early goal was just what was needed to settle any nerves. To be honest, they needn’t have any. Real Madrid could barely string two passes together and it looked like an eleven competely devoid on confidence or drive. Momentum is a funny thing in sport and when you have it, Rashford’s equisite finish had galvanised those wearing a Barcelona jersey and it was clear his teammates wanted to get in on the act.
Patient play from the backline found Fermin on the left flank, who lifted a ball into the driving Dani Olmo. His delicate backheel flick elimated Antonio Rudiger from the game while simulataneously finding the feet of Ferran Torres. Running off a ball watching Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Spaniard strode into space around the penalty spot and rifled a shot past Courtois. Twenty minutes into the match and it was over before it had barely begun.
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Although, Real did have a chance to strike back soon after. Raul Asencio’s long pass drfited over the top of what is now the standard high line of Barca. Young Gonzalo Garcia controlled the ball well with a headed touch, and drove towards the goal of Joan Garcia. However, much like Los Blancos’ finishing throughout the season, anybody not named Mbappe has ben tremendously inconsistent when faced with an opportunity such as this. The finish was poor and trundled wide. Gonzalo’s reaction told the tale, thumping the post in anger. A microcosm of the last week for Real.
Vini made a few jinking runs through the first forty-five, nevertheless, his effect on the game from left wing was muted. One half decent pass into the middle saw Tchouameni racing forward. Perhaps caught in two minds, the strike saw a mixture of power and placement, neither of which met the required standard. His guided finish drifted wide of the right hand post. Clear cut opportunties were easier for Barcelona to find. Torres released Rashford with a perfectly timed pass, leaving the speedy Englishman bearing down on Courtois’ net. Madrid’s number one stood up well and made himself big, a huge hand diverting the finish inches wide.
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Into the second half and La Blaugrana continued to apply the pressure. Courtois palming a Fermin strike out for yet another corner, of which Barca failed to do anything with. At this point, rather ironically, it was the white shirts of Real Madrid chasing ghosts, with the hosts holding onto the ball for large periods of time. Ferran soon dashed past the Madrid backline to fire on target, and without the leg of the returning Courtois it would’ve been three.
A growing post break concern for Alvaro Arbeloa had to be that the best performer in a Real shirt continued to be his goalkeeper. A game Los Blancos had to win to avoid the ignominy of losing the league in a match agaisnt their direct rivals, it appeared as if many of those on the pitch didn’t want to be there at all. One momentary bright spark seemed to have been applied from Bellingham, whose industry amongst those lacking it was fairly evident. Yet, a nifty touch and quick finish from Fran Garcia’s cross was to matter little. Offside.
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Into the closing stages and substitute Frenkie de Jong tracked back well to dispossess fellow replacement Franco Mastantuono. The old guard of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha combined for a neat one-two, with the returning Brazilian stabbing a fairly meek shot into the greatful palms of Courtois. Minutes later it was the latter with a golden opportunity, Real Madrid’s defensive concentration dwindling as it became evident they wanted to jump back on their plane to the capital. Guilty to the sin of greed, the Pole ignored the calls from a far better positioned Fermin, instead deciding to force a lacklustre shot straight down the gullet of Real’s netminder.
Fundamentally, it didn’t matter. As the clock struck ninety, the evening’s match official in Hernandez Hernandez brought proceedings to a close. It was a near on procession for Barca, who had clearly outplayed their rivals throughout the night and season. Earlier that day, manager Hansi Flick had recieved the painful news that his father, who had been suffering from illness for some time, had passed away overnight. He chose to stay and coach his team to victory.
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As the celebrations began, Flick was interviewed to speak on the emotions of such a whirlwind twenty-four hours:
“It was a hard day, but I am proud. You can feel the connection we have and this is the most important thing in football and in life: that you are connected, that everyone feels part of this family.”
Full time, Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid.