Sunday’s Clasico was billed as “descafeinado,” but there was nothing watered down as Barca and Real played out a feisty 2-2 draw. Luis Suarez put the home side ahead early, with Cristiano Ronaldo levelling minutes later. Barca were reduced to 10 men when Sergi Roberto was sent off just before the break, but Lionel Messi made it 2-1 after the restart before Gareth Bale equalised in the 72nd minute.
Positives
Real weathered Barca’s early storm and extended their recent record in Camp Nou to three games unbeaten while enjoying 49.7 percent of the ball, making more recoveries and managing more shots on target than the hosts.
Negatives
The visitors can feel aggrieved not to have won the game against 10 men, as Marcelo was denied a clear penalty. But the back four were all at sea for Suarez’s goal, and Ernesto Valverde adapted to his numerical disadvantage more quickly than Zinedine Zidane. For 20 minutes between Messi’s scoring and Bale’s goal, Real were utterly devoid of attacking ideas.
Manager rating out of 10
8 — Zidane profited from doubling up on the flanks, particularly on the left, and switched to three at the back after bringing on Lucas Vazquez to unblock his forward line with some extra pressure on the wings. Bale’s goal came four minutes after that change.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Keylor Navas, 9 — There are few better at sniffing danger, and Navas was quick off his line to deny Suarez and made an excellent stop on Messi that had to be timed to perfection. Probably shouldn’t have been beaten at his near post, but Messi’s shot was expertly placed. Made a fine save on the Argentine in a one-on-one to keep the score at 2-1.
DF Nacho, 7 — Maybe should have stayed with Suarez for Barca’s opener but cannot be faulted for tracking Messi’s run with Raphael Varane out of position. Solid at the back and under instruction to stay there to allow Marcelo to maraud. Real haven’t lost in the five games Nacho has played at right-back this season.
DF Raphael Varane, 7 — Took one for the team flooring Suarez on the break and was legitimately incensed after being fouled by the Uruguayan in the run-up to the second goal. Should have closed down Sergi Roberto but was imperious in the air and neat on the ball.
DF Sergio Ramos, 8 – Made an excellent challenge to deny Messi when the Barca forward had a clear sight of goal. The captain snapped into every tackle but was inevitably booked for a spot of handbags with Suarez, which meant he had to tone it down a bit in the second half.
DF Marcelo, 6 — Trotting back from the opposition half when Sergi Roberto picked out Suarez, the Brazilian was swiftly called to the touchline by Zidane. Got a measure of revenge when the Barca defender received his marching orders for lashing out. Was a force in attack late on and should have had a penalty at 2-2 when chopped down by Jordi Alba.
MF Casemiro, 7 — Quietly efficient and somehow managed to avoid the referee’s notebook, unlike the whole of Real’s starting back four. Put in more tackles (six) than anyone on the pitch and made a few niggly, not-quite-yellow fouls to break up Barca’s momentum when required.
MF Luka Modric, 6 — A glorious, defence-splitting pass for Ronaldo was the highlight of an otherwise low-key evening for the Croatian, who was effective enough in keeping the ball rolling but lacked drive going forward.
MF Toni Kroos, 7 — Delivered a fine cross to Benzema for Ronaldo’s goal and was the more active of the midfield fulcrum. When Barca were in the ascendancy early on, Kroos kept the coolest head among the white shirts.
FW Gareth Bale, 7 — Anonymous in the first half but popped up with a perfectly-timed challenge to nick the ball off Messi’s boot. Hammered a beautiful first-time shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make it 2-2 and became more dangerous as the clock ticked down.
FW Karim Benzema, 9 — Most forwards would have gone for goal when Benzema headed back across for Ronaldo, an aspect of his game that doesn’t gain the plaudits it deserves. Teed up Asensio for a decent chance that the Spain international couldn’t wrap his foot around and worked tirelessly for his team, probing the flanks and dropping back to link with the midfield.
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 — Started and finished the move for the equalizer with a flick to Kroos and a toe into the net. Had two excellent chances to add a 19th Clasico goal but shot straight at Ter Stegen with one and missed narrowly wide with the other. Replaced at half-time with a minor ankle sprain.
Substitutes
MF Marco Asensio, 6 — On for Ronaldo at half-time, took a while to get into the game but found Bale with an incisive ball for the equaliser.
FW Lucas Vazquez, 6 — On for Nacho to add some extra width with Barca dropping back and did just that.
MF Mateo Kovacic, N/R — On for the final few minutes, managed the same number of tackles as Varane in that time.
Rob Train covers Real Madrid and the Spanish national team for ESPN FC. Twitter: @Cafc13Rob.
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