FC Barcelona inflicts a severe correction on Real Madrid

It has been three years since FC Barcelona won the Clasico in the league. A long scarcity equal to the fall of the Catalan house, far from its luster of a few years ago. The wait ended on Sunday, and in what way. As in its best hours, when Xavi reigned in midfield, Barça came to teach Real Madrid a lesson in their lair. With Xavi, in the coaching costume now.

The Merengue, comfortable leaders of the Spanish championship with 66 points before this 29th day (ten points ahead of the 2nd, Sevilla FC), were reduced for this shock, since the essential Karim Benzema was forfeited due to injury . But even without the top scorer in La Liga – 22 goals – Real probably did not expect to take such broth.

Aubameyang untenable

In a stadium still half full due to work, the visitors, in progress for several months under the leadership of Xavi, had no mercy for the people of Madrid. The Blaugrana logically struck first through theone of the best recruits of the winter: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabonese perfectly cut off a cross from Ousmane Dembélé to open the scoring with a header (29th). On a corner from the same Dembélé, Ronald Araujo won in turn in the air and scored the goal of the break (38th). Meanwhile, Vinicius had tangled his brushes and missed a duel with Marc-André ter Stegen.

The double change made by Carlo Ancelotti at the break – Toni Kroos and Daniel Carvajal replaced by Eduardo Camavinga and Mariano Diaz – had no effect in the ranks of Real Madrid. On the contrary, after a miss from Pedri, Barça flew away very quickly with a third goal signed Ferran Torres, well served by “PEA” with a heel (47th). And a few minutes later, the two men exchanged roles, with Torres as the decisive passer for Aubameyang (53rd). Mass had already been said.

Never Real Madrid saw the light of day in this game. This is Real’s first home defeat in the league this season. On the Barça side, euphoria sets in. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on fire (11 matches, 9 goals), the club is in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, confidence reigns and the peaks of La Liga are once again within reach: here are the Blaugrana in 3rd place with 54 points, three behind Sevilla and eight behind the Madrid leader. Xavi, who arrived on the bench four and a half months ago, may have found the formula to revive FC Barcelona.