Real Madrid had an opportunity to shrink the deficit between themselves and La Liga rivals Barcelona to eight points Saturday afternoon in Madrid with a win in El Clasico. With a game in hand because of the FIFA Club World Cup, Luka Modrić and company could have made it back in the race before Christmas hit. But it couldn’t have been more of a disaster.
After a scoreless first half which saw both clubs have their chances, Barca would score three goals for a 3-0 win and their third consecutive league victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Ivan Rakitić got the party started with the first goal as he brought the ball up field before dishing it off to Sergi Roberto who made the pass to Suarez for the goal. Rakitić gets a ‘hockey assist’ on the play. La Liga leaders Barcelona now have a 14-point lead on Real Madrid and 9-point lead on second place Atletico Madrid.
Both Ivan Rakitić and Luka Modrić played the entire match while Mateo Kovačić got the start for Real Madrid playing 72 minutes. Modrić was given a ‘6’ grade as ‘he made more passes (58) than any other Madrid player and was particularly effective in the first half, but his influence waned when Carvajal left them a man down.’
Mateo Kovačić in his first start since returning from injury received a ‘5’ grade as he was ‘the only player to complete all of his passes in the first half, he also did well to shackle Lionel Messi. So well, in fact, his decision to follow the Argentine gave Ivan Rakitić the freedom of the midfield in the build-up to the opening goal.’
Ivan Rakitić received an ‘8’ grade as ‘his surge through midfield gave Barca their breakthrough and he had the best passing accuracy of any starting Barca player (93.4). His recovery from the fringes of the team under Luis Enrique continues.’
El Clásico Match Highlights
Domagoj Vida has officially joined Turkish club Besiktas from Dynamo Kiev on a free transfer. Vida joined Kiev in 2013 from Dinamo Zagreb and will now play for Besiktas who are currently fourth in Turkey; only three points behind first place Fenerbahce and will play Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16.
Šime Vrsaljko played the full 90 minutes for Atletico Madrid in a 1-0 loss to Espanyol picking up a yellow card in the 89th minute. It looks as if Atletico is giving Vrsaljko playing time in order to increase his value ahead of a possible winter transfer.
Mario Mandžukić played 90 minutes for Juventus as Marko Pjaca watched on from the bench in a 1-0 win over Roma on Saturday. The result sees Juve remain one point behind leaders Napoli.
Is it time to hit the panic button at Inter Milan? For the second straight match, Inter have lost; this time 1-0 to Sassuolo. Both Ivan Perišić and Marcelo Brozović got the start for Inter in the loss which now puts them five points behind Napoli.
This is clearly Barcelona’s season to shine. Juve is their biggest threat for CL.
@lika joey-the only one lacking football iq here is you bud. So poor man marking is poor football iq-awful lot of players with poor football iq out there then.
Kovacic, doesn’t have the soccer IQ he needs yet. The kid is a natural talent. But man marking is horrible at times.
Ruh ohhhhh Vlasic didn’t even make bench?
^ ^
His
Maybe his legs didn’t give on him but his mind could’ve if he was tired.
I think fatigue kicked in for Kovacic. First start of the season and ho5s job is to track Messi. Good preview of the World Cup maybe?
You guys know or heard anything about Dario Maresic? He’s a highly rated cb 18 year old starting every game for Sturm Graz the top team in the Austrian Bundesliga. He plays for Austrian youth team, but it seems likes he’s still eligible for us. He could potentially be the cb of the future for us if we can get him to pull a Rakitic.
Vida signed to besiktas
I watched the Real-Barcelona game.
One of the best games of Rakitic I’ve seen in years, he was one of the Barcelona key players. A lot of good passes, smart decisions and he was the man who prepared the 0-1.
Kovacic’s first half was excellent. After 30 minutes, still not one bad pass. He went under with Real the second half. Maybe he could have done better with the 0-1. He should have stopped Raketa but decided to stay with Messi. After the 0-1, there were some bad passed until he was subbed out. I would call it a decent game.
Modric was excellent at times but Iniesta also beat him in several duels. He showed that he’s brilliant but he went under with Real in the second half, I’d say he was good, but not shocking good as in our home game against Greece.
If Barca goes far or wins Champions league would that not mean Rakitić is playing a lot also? Would we not want Barca to also be knocked out of Champions league?
Ronaldo looking far from the best player ever when he whiffed on that ball with his left in the first half. That was pathetic for him! They score first, at home, and it’s a different game. Messi > Ronaldo always.
Anyone watch the full game how did kovacic play?
Good.
Hopefully Barcelona clinches the La Liga title well before the season ends, and hopefully Real are knocked out of Champions League soon.
We need Luka well rested hungry this summer.
http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/12/23/5a3e664646163fa56e8b464c.html
Welp. That was bad
Three Croatians on the field. Funny, only one from Argentina and none from Iceland or Nigeria.
Kovacic, modric, rakitic all starting!
http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/12/22/5a3cd3b2e2704e9a598b45a5.html
Modrić = Legend
Once again it will come down to him to make the difference in El Classico.
Hope Kovačić gets a run out as his dynamic speed gave Barca problems in the Super Cup.