Bernabeu stunned: Real beaten red and blue
Barcelona humiliate Clasico rivals with 4-0 win
Barcelona humiliate Clasico rivals with 4-0 win. PHOTO: AFP
MADRID:
Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez struggled to find explanations after watching his side humiliated 4-0 at home by archrivals Barcelona in Saturday’s La Liga ‘Clasico’.
Taking charge of the biggest fixture in club football for the first time, Benitez suffered a baptism of fire that leaves him in a precarious position only three months into his debut season.
In an ominous sign for the former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli manager, angry fans at the Bernabeu roundly whistled their own players and chanted for president Florentino Perez to step down as champions Barca surged six points clear of second-placed Real after 12 matches.
Neymar and skipper Andres Iniesta were also on target for the Spanish and European champions and they could easily have added to their tally in the closing stages.
A chastened Benitez, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, said he was focusing on picking the players. “Of course it hurts, it hurts a lot to lose like this,” Benitez told a news conference. “What we have to do now is stay united. It wasn’t a question of attitude. We were up against a very good side and we paid for our mistakes.”
Enrique delighted by win
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, who played for both Real and Barca and won the treble with the Catalan side in his first season in charge in 2014-15, was understandably euphoric. “A glorious and memorable victory,” he told reporters. “They are our eternal rivals and we both want to win the same trophies. It really feels good to have played so much better.”
The 45-year-old felt the emphatic scoreline highlighted how good his side was, rather than Real’s shortcomings. “We were solid at the back and I think it was more a case of us playing very well than Real playing badly,” he said. “We created a lot of chances after the first goal. It was a very complete first half and we controlled the game. We’ve given the fans a lot of joy tonight. It was a truly memorable match.”
Enrique had particular praise for versatile midfielder Sergi Roberto, a product of Barca’s youth academy who has been one of their most reliable performers this term. Roberto sent Suarez clear to net Barca’s opening goal in the 11th minute and almost scored himself later in the first half. “He keeps the ball well and has excellent control,” said Enrique. “He can become a great player.”
Bernabeu gives Iniesta a standing ovation
Barcelona and Spain legend Iniesta can now add his name to the short list of Barcelona players to have ever received a standing ovation from Real fans, with forwards Ronaldinho and Diego Maradona the only other two to boast the distinction.
Instead of the usual vitriol Barca players have had hurled at them at the Bernabeu, when Iniesta was substituted near the end of their 4-0 La Liga victory many of the Real faithful stood and clapped him off; making him the first Catalan and Barca graduate to receive a standing ovation.
Iniesta had offered up a masterclass of creative midfield play, capped with a stunning strike into the top corner to make it 3-0 shortly after halftime.
“He [Iniesta] is part of our world heritage,” added Enrique. “We have the good fortune to have a unique player, who has eyes in the back of his head, at the service of the team.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2015.
Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez struggled to find explanations after watching his side humiliated 4-0 at home by archrivals Barcelona in Saturday’s La Liga ‘Clasico’.
Taking charge of the biggest fixture in club football for the first time, Benitez suffered a baptism of fire that leaves him in a precarious position only three months into his debut season.
In an ominous sign for the former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli manager, angry fans at the Bernabeu roundly whistled their own players and chanted for president Florentino Perez to step down as champions Barca surged six points clear of second-placed Real after 12 matches.
Neymar and skipper Andres Iniesta were also on target for the Spanish and European champions and they could easily have added to their tally in the closing stages.
A chastened Benitez, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, said he was focusing on picking the players. “Of course it hurts, it hurts a lot to lose like this,” Benitez told a news conference. “What we have to do now is stay united. It wasn’t a question of attitude. We were up against a very good side and we paid for our mistakes.”
Enrique delighted by win
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, who played for both Real and Barca and won the treble with the Catalan side in his first season in charge in 2014-15, was understandably euphoric. “A glorious and memorable victory,” he told reporters. “They are our eternal rivals and we both want to win the same trophies. It really feels good to have played so much better.”
The 45-year-old felt the emphatic scoreline highlighted how good his side was, rather than Real’s shortcomings. “We were solid at the back and I think it was more a case of us playing very well than Real playing badly,” he said. “We created a lot of chances after the first goal. It was a very complete first half and we controlled the game. We’ve given the fans a lot of joy tonight. It was a truly memorable match.”
Enrique had particular praise for versatile midfielder Sergi Roberto, a product of Barca’s youth academy who has been one of their most reliable performers this term. Roberto sent Suarez clear to net Barca’s opening goal in the 11th minute and almost scored himself later in the first half. “He keeps the ball well and has excellent control,” said Enrique. “He can become a great player.”
Bernabeu gives Iniesta a standing ovation
Barcelona and Spain legend Iniesta can now add his name to the short list of Barcelona players to have ever received a standing ovation from Real fans, with forwards Ronaldinho and Diego Maradona the only other two to boast the distinction.
Instead of the usual vitriol Barca players have had hurled at them at the Bernabeu, when Iniesta was substituted near the end of their 4-0 La Liga victory many of the Real faithful stood and clapped him off; making him the first Catalan and Barca graduate to receive a standing ovation.
Iniesta had offered up a masterclass of creative midfield play, capped with a stunning strike into the top corner to make it 3-0 shortly after halftime.
“He [Iniesta] is part of our world heritage,” added Enrique. “We have the good fortune to have a unique player, who has eyes in the back of his head, at the service of the team.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2015.