Real Madrid ( 2 - 0 ) Barcelona Match Ananlysis

FC Barcelona enjoyed long spells of possession and attack in the first half but and as said by Catalan coach Setien Real Madrid overshadowed them in the second period.

Real Madrid secured a 2 - 0 over FC Barcelona with the goals of Vinicius Junior on the 71st minute and the late goal of Mariano Diaz on the 90+2nd minute.

By beating FC Barcelona the Los Blancos climbs the top of the table of La Liga with a one point difference with Barcelona. Tough the competition is hand in hand with Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the Los Blancos fans can be confident to end the 4 years drought of not winning an El Classico in league . Previously Real Madrid drew three and lost four with Barcelona in the El Classico matches. 

It was much needed win for Madrid as they enter the final 12 matches of La Liga of this season. 

Barcelona took hold of the first half over Real Madrid as they continued to play their Tiki-Taka with contribution of from Frenkie De Jong and Antoine Griezmann. Though the French International lost two big oppurtunities in the first half. 

The Argentine international Lionel Messi cracked upon the defense of Real Madrid  as he dribbled past the Frenchman Raphael Varane. It was expected that Ferland Mendy would start in place of Marcelo, but Marcelo was exceptional as the Brazilian cut out his out of form spell and distributed brilliantly to the game in defense and attack.

The Belgian international Thibaut Courtois did a brilliant job as he denied Lionel Messi two times and also provided a couple of good saves. 

Spanish international Centre Back Gerard Pique got a wonderful chance to convert the free kick of Lionel Messi into a goal but misplaced the header. Meanwhile his teammate Arthur Melo and Frenkie de Jong kept a nice track of the game but was not able to contribute for goals.

The Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior after scoring his first goal in the El Classico became the second teenager to score in an El Classico after Lionel Messi. To celebrated this remarkable achievement he celebrated his goal copying the iconic goal celebration by his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in the vip stand at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid Turned Its Poor Form Around. Barcelona caused problems in Real's side in the first half but Madrid got hold of the second half beautifully dominating over Barcelona. Isco got a couple of chances, but failed to convert those by the saves of Marc Andre Ter Stegen who did a brilliant job, saving the curved shot and header of Isco.

Zinedine Zidane Got The Big Calls Right.

The French coach put his faith in veteran Marcelo at left back instead of Ferland Mendy. He was well rewarded. Marcelo was up and down the left wing with the energy he is known for. With around 15 minutes to go, with Madrid 1-0 ahead, Marcelo made a last-ditch tackle to deny Lionel Messi, as the Argentine was bearing down on goal.

Quique Setien didn't seem to enjoy his First El Clasico. Ahead of his first Clasico, the Barca coach seemed relaxed and optimistic. In an interview with La Vanguardia, he said he would “enjoy” the match.

In the first half, Barca shaded the play and could have taken the lead when Messi's volley went straight to Courtois. Setien’s commitment to play an attractive style with short passes to build from the back is admirable, but when it doesn’t work, there doesn’t seem to be a Plan B.   

Barca Needs To Find A Solution To Its Striker Crisis. With the likes of injured Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele they need a proper goal poacher. The Danish international Martin Braithwaite did a brilliant job by cutting down the Blancos defense through the right but was saved by Courtois. Also he failed to have track of Vinicus Junior when he ran  though and scored the first goal of the game. Big games like this are often won on margins like that.  

Guest appearance: Former Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo was present in Santiago Bernabeu to watch his former side play against arch rivals FC Barcelona.