All in black, the “white ballet” of Spain’s record champions Real Madrid experienced a Sunday to forget. Ironically, in their pitch-black anniversary jerseys for the 120th anniversary of the club, the royal team had to accept defeat against arch-rivals FC Barcelona and national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen with a humiliating 0: 4 (0: 2) home defeat after five Clásico successes in a row. Barca, on the other hand, celebrated their highest success at the Bernabeu in over six years.
With ex-national player Toni Kroos at the top of the table, Real is still nine points clear of FC Sevilla (1-1 at Rayo Vallecano) despite their first home defeat of the season nine rounds before the end.
Barcelona, opponents of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, claimed third place twelve points behind Real ahead of defending champions Atlético Madrid who tied for the match.
The Catalans, who have been successful for the fifth time in a row, still have a game to catch up. FC Villarreal, challengers to German champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, are seventh after a 0-1 (0-0) loss at FC Cadiz.
Ex-BVB professional Aubameyang shines with a brace
Barcelona’s celebrated player was ex-Dortmund player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who signed in the winter, with a brace (29th and 52nd).
The Gabonese Bundesliga top scorer of 2017 has increased his tally to six goals in the past five league games. Ronald Araujo (38′) and – assisted by Aubameyang – Ferran Torres (47′) scored the other goals for the visitors, who were on the ball.
The home side were only lucky to avoid the worst defeat in more than 48 years. In February 1974, Real lost 5-0 to arch-rivals Catalonia.