As FC Barcelona’s 17 year-old Lamime Yamal celebrated his goal against Real Madrid, a one-word text reached me from an enduring Barca fan : ‘Festival !’
As Clasicos go, the latest encounter between two giants of La Liga and historic football club icons of the global game, certainly earned its place in the history books. From a Barca perspective it brought back memories of the golden days of Johan Cruyff, of Guardiola, of the magical moments of teams inspired by the likes of Ronaldinho and Messi. But it also fuelled a growing sense of a club that is rediscovering a sense of identity and achievement, which has been absent in more recent seasons.
A lesser team than this Barca might have felt overawed by the opposition as it approached the game. With its revolving ceiling, the futuristic , rebuilt and enlarged Santiago Bernabeu stadium transmitted a statement of wealth and power, the commentors gushingly reminding viewers of the world-wide audience tuning in.
Out came Real Madrid, led by some of most highly rated and generously paid elite plays in the game, the stadium largely made up of Real Madrid fans, displaying their allegiance with an all-white mosaic of giant loyalty cards . The small contingent of Barca fans, some 500 were, were defiant, encouraging their gladiatirs, like a small grouping of Davids in the lion’s den.
Within less than two minutes into the game Real Madrid’s latest super-signing, the French Mbappe moved forward with speed , skill, and super charged intent,narrowly missing a goal. Relays suggested he was off side.
Further Real Madrid attacks followed, thwarted by the off side and VAR, but also by some good saves by the Barca goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
A pattern of dysfunctional play by the home team seemed to develop as whenever Real Madrid moved into space, the offside flag went up, with two Mbappe goals disallowed. Controversial refereeing has often been at the heart of the Clasico, with accusations by one side or the other of bias.
But not in this game . Nor could the result be blamed on an underperforming Real Madrid exemplified by Mbappe, who, as well being caught by the offside rule, took three shots at goal without scoring. Nor did Vinicius or Bellingham lift their team. It needs a good coach to match a disruptive tactic with an even more disruptive tactic. But Ancelotti seeed mindless on the night, chewing his gum like a humiliated adolescent not the seasoned wise man of football he has built a reputation on.
It was evident to all, that Real Madrid’s attacks was being caught time and time again by Barca’s high-line of players- a high-risk tactic employed successfully by visiting team’s German coach Hansi Flick , and wonderfully executed by his team brimming with youthful daring and passion, with six under 21-year olds chosen in the starting line-up.
The way that Barca played, relentless rather than reckless, and with high octane energy and commitment, was indeed joyful to watch, and effective-giving neither time nor space for their opponents to respond. Real Madrid’s legendary capacity to fight-back never materialised-indeed they seemed to lack a counterplan, let alone inspiration.
Barca’s was above all a team performance, bringing out the best in its players , and inspured by veteran Lewandowski , at 36 delivering two goals , Lamine Yamal a third, the youngest goalscorer in El Clásico history at just 17 years , and this season prolific Rafinha scoring the fourth to set the seal over Real Madrid’s rout.
