A one-sided affair
This evening’s El Clasico was a one-sided affair and therefore not a match worthy of the greatest rivalry in football. But this is not to take away the performance of Barca-its energy, skill, and team spirit- all factors evidently lacking in the team fielded by Rafa Benitez.
Real Madrid played like a team emerging from a long summer break. With the exception of Marcelo and Ronaldo, the players in white were outpaced and out passed, not least on the left flank where Neymar, Iniesta, and Jordi Alba combined with speed and efficacy.
It’s always good to see Iniesta not just on form but also score a goal, and a standing ovation he got from Real Madrid fans honoured him and honoured them.
Good too to see Messi back, and seemingly fit.
It was 0-4 to Barca. It could have easily been 0-6 thanks to some brilliant saves by Bravo, and two very poor shots at goal by the substitute Munir. Poor lad. Having a trio like Neymar, Suarez, and Messi can be as easily tough to follow as inspirational although Sergio Roberto showed clear signs of maturing at a more impressive rate.
Have you read this book?
This is the book the late Graham Greene managed to read in manuscript form on his way to Moscow to visit his old friend Kim Philby. Greene – always generous with young aspiring authors – subsequently wrote to me saying: “You can quote me as saying this is a required book for anyone who wishes to understand the Argentine situation before and after the Falklands War.’