What we learned from Saturday's Clásico
Saturday, December 3, 2016
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UEFA.com's Joe Walker takes a closer look at the 1-1 draw between Barcelona and Real Madrid and finds the Merengues on the brink of history thanks to more late heroics from their captain.
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Sergio Ramos netted a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared in Saturday's Clásico meeting with Barcelona. A nervy first half ended goalless, however Luis Suárez's header looked to have been enough for the Blaugrana to take all three points. That was until the Madrid skipper's late intervention. UEFA.com's Joe Walker picks out the bones.
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Better result for Madrid
You could see in the way the Merengues celebrated what this point meant. Barcelona looked crestfallen and it ensures the side from the capital remain six clear of their great rivals in the Liga standings. It was a nervous, even game in which a draw was probably a fair result but there is no doubt it will feel sweeter for the visitors, especially given the circumstances of the goal.
Iniesta still the boss
Andrés Iniesta might be 32, but he is as important as ever for Barcelona. In the first half, with the midfield maestro on the bench, Madrid dominated in the centre of the field. However, after Iniesta was introduced on the hour it was the Catalan giants who took control largely thanks to the class of their conductor.
Madrid's run towards history
It is often said the sign of champions is getting a result even when not at your best – that is exactly what Madrid are doing. They are now 33 games unbeaten in all competitions – just one behind the club record – despite not hitting the heights they have at times this season in recent weeks. It all bodes well.
Ramos the man for the biggest stage
It had to be him. When Luka Modrić swung in the ball from the left-hand side there was one man above all others who Madrid wanted on the end of the cross. Ramos was the hero with a late header when Madrid won the 2014 UEFA Champions League and 2016 UEFA Super Cup and he was at it again at the death to rescue his side here. Cristiano Ronaldo might get many of the plaudits, but Ramos's importance to the team, in front of goal as well as at the back, cannot be understated.
Zidane now has midfield dilemma
It is a selection headache, but a welcome one. Casemiro's late appearance from the bench marked a return from injury for the Brazilian, who has been a fixture throughout much of Zinédine Zidane's tenure. Mateo Kovačić has excelled in his absence, Isco is in fine form and Modrić is imperative to the side's style of play. Zidane now has to decide whether or not Casemiro comes straight back in and, if so, who misses out.
