At FC Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong was the only Dutchman to start in the base for the clash with the Madrilenians. Xavi had therefore not made a base for Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong. Leader Real Madrid could not have Karim Benzema. The top scorer of La Liga (22 goals) has a minor injury and trainer Carlo Ancelotti does not want to take any risks with the Frenchman due to the busy schedule in the coming weeks. Luka Modric replaced him against the Catalans.
At the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Barcelona hoped to finally beat Madrid again. After all, the five previous times that Xavi’s team met the Madrilenians, they did not win. On March 2, 2019, Barcelona last stepped off the field as the winner against Real Madrid.
Aubameyang
The first two chances were for the home side. Rodrygo tried with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but he saw the leather disappear into the side net. Not much later Marc-André ter Stegen had to intervene after a shot by Federico Valverde. The Barcelona goalie was able to tap the ball over the back line. After that, Barcelona completely took over the initiative.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang first killed the biggest chance so far. The Catalans striker was served by Ferran Torres and then had plenty of time for a good shot, but he fired straight at Thibaut Courtois.
But that was soon forgiven, because within half an hour he still signed for the lead. A cross from Ousmane Dembélé was beaten in the head by the winter acquisition. In the meantime, Frenkie de Jong had already been kicked out. The Dutchman received a yellow print after he took out a quick counter from Madrid.
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Five minutes after the opening goal, Vinicius begged for a penalty after he went face-to-face with Ter Stegen to the ground. The referee did not want to hear anything and thought that Vinicius went to the grass very easily.
Ronald Araújo celebrates the 2-0.
Ⓒ ANP/HH
The visitors were lord and master and that Barcelona doubled their lead before half-time was more than justified. It was Ronald Araújo who shot Xavi’s formation 2-0. He was completely free at a corner and was able to head the leather against the ropes.
Barcelona pushes through
Barcelona came out of the dressing room sharp and Ferran Torres had a huge chance immediately after the break to close the game. But face to face with Courtois, he incomprehensibly pushed the ball wide.
As with Aubameyang in the first half, Ferran Torres was also immediately forgiven after signing for the 3-0 a minute later. Incidentally, the attack was set up by Frenkie de Jong. Barcelona was sitting on roses in Madrid.
Aubameyang celebrates his second against Real Madrid.
Ⓒ ANP/HH
The worries for the home side, who seemed out of control without Benzema, grew bigger and bigger. Aubameyang scored the 4-0 five minutes after the third goal. The goal was initially disallowed, but VAR intervened and concluded that there was no question of offside.
Orange international Memphis Depay was allowed to participate as a substitute for Aubameyang in the last twenty minutes. The former PSV player almost scored, Courtois managed to stop his shot just under fifteen minutes before the end.
Real Madrid were lucky that they ‘only’ got four goals, because given the opportunities and the game image, no one would have been surprised by an even bigger defeat.
With the win, Xavi’s team is only three points behind number two Sevilla. Barcelona has also played one game less and can therefore be tied.
Seville draws
Sevilla, the number 2, who is 9 points behind, did not go further than 0-0 in their own stadium against the sixth classified Real Sociedad.
Sevilla were eliminated on Thursday in the eighth finals of the Europa League after a 2-0 loss after extra time at West Ham United. In the previous two league games, the team of coach Julen Lopetegui also played a draw against Rayo Vallecano (1-1) and Deportivo Alavés (0-0).
There were not many serious goals. Sociedad shot twice on target, Sevilla only once in their own stadium.
Sevilla are 3 points ahead of Atlético Madrid, the number 3 who defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 on Saturday.
View the standings, results and the program in La Liga here.