El Clasico player ratings: FC Barcelona 5 – Real Madrid 0 (Part 1)
A hundred thousand lucky fans crowded the legendary Camp Nous stadium last night. The occasion was arguably the most anticipated game on the global football calendar, El Clasico. Many expected a tightly contested game with Jose Mourinho in charge of Los
Blancos but how they were mistaken.
Blaugrana ran riot at their hunting ground as Jose Mourinho and his troops were sent with their tails between their legs. The final score line read 5 – 0 in favour of a rampant Barcelona who deserved all the praise they get.
Bettor.com now analyses the performaces of the players who took to the pitch last night.
FC Barcelona
Victor Valdes – 6.5
Barca number one must have been expecting a busy night but it was a pleasant surprise for the crowd favourite. Valdes was hardly tested as Madrid attack was toothless and apart from some Cristiano Ronaldo free kicks, Valdes was a mere spectator.
Dani Alves – 7
The Brazilian had an impressive outing against a woeful Angel Di Maria. While Alves was solid in defence, he galloped forward to good effect and chose his passes extremely well.
Carlos Puyol – 8
Blaugrana skipper was a real leader at the back and put in yet another classic El Clasico performance. Puyol had Karim Benzema jingling in his back pocket while he dealt with the pace of Ronaldo to perfection. Barcelona will have a tough time finding a replacement
for this Catalan rock.
Gerrard Pique – 7.5
Pique shrugged off his poor form at precisely the right moment. The young goalkeeper was classy and assured in possession and hardly put a foot wrong all night. However, his task was made all the more easier by woeful Madrid attack.
Eric Abidal – 7.5
Surprisingly, Abidal was the more influential of the two Barca full backs. The Frenchman returned to the squad after an injury break and that hardly showed. Bombed forward to superb effect and linked up really well with the wingers.
Xavi – 9
Xavi – Just how to praise this legend is beyond this author. Scored the all important first goal with a well taken finish and was his imperious best in possession. Although Xavi still has plenty of football left in his legs, the day this player hangs up
his boots will be a sad day for football.
Sergio Busquets – 8
Busquets stamped his authority on the pitch and won the battle with Sami Khedira hands down. The Catalan broke several counter-attacks while he was assured in possession. Busquets repaid Guardiola’s faith in an ideal manner.
Andres Iniesta – 8.5
While Iniesta couldn’t get on the score sheet, he kept the Barca ticking as he appeared all over the pitch with his mesmerising footwork and ball control.
Lionel Messi – 8.5
The game was billed as Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi proved yet again that he is the best player on the planet. The diminutive Argentine was extrelely unlucky as his superb lob cannoned off the bar in the early proceedings. Although Messi failed
to score on the day, he was unplayable all night as he provided two sumptuous assists for both David Villa goals.
Pedro – 8.5
The real big match player was this guy. His speed, trickery and movement off the ball were simply too much for Mourinho’s men on the night. Pedro got himself on the scoresheet and it was no less than what he deserved.
David Villa – 9
It was a perfect El Clasico debut for the Spain International. Two well taken goals to cap a wonderful night’s work, what more can one ask for. His link up play with Messi, Pedro and Iniesta was sublime but that goes without saying.
Substitutions:
Bojan Krkic – 7
The youngster continued with his good run of form. Bojan could have scored a goal moments after he came on but Casillas thwarted him. However, he made up for the missed chance with a good assist for jeffren.
Jeffren Suarez – 6.5
The youngster was brought on towards the end of the game and scored a memorable goal on his El Clasico debut.
Seydou Keita – 5.5
This man replaced Xavi, the man of the match, and had little impact but his energy was hardly needed as Barca were already celebrating a memorable victory.
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