[ad_1]
Even without Lionel Messi, Barcelona proved they could thrive. here's Ben Hayward's take on a memorable afternoon for the Catalan giants.
Suarez is Lionel Messi for a day in Barcelona humiliate Real Madrid with Lopetegui facing the sack
Much of the talk ahead of the Clasico was centred on how Barcelona would replace Lionel Messi. In the end, however, they did not need to have Luis Suarez stepped into the Argentine's hands with a brilliant hat-trick to leave Real Madrid beaten and Julen Lopetegui broken.
Messi is sidelined with an arm fracture sustained last Saturday in the 4-2 win against Sevilla here and he was watching on the sidelines as Barca beat Inter 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
For that match, coach Ernesto Valverde picked Rafinha in Messi's absence and the Brazilian started again in this one as the Barca boss feels out the same XI for the Clasico.
And with Arthur again excellent in midfield, Barca were in complete control in a one-sided first half against a lifeless Madrid side.
Philippe Coutinho gave the Catalans the lead early on and scored the second with a penalty by VAR. It was 2-0 at half-time, but could have been far worse for the visitors.
The second half brought a tactical switch from Lopetegui as it was played back to the back and Marcelo quickly pulled out a goal back in a spell of a limelight as Luka Modric hit the post and Karim Benzema headed over.
But Barca adapted too. Valverde feels on Nelson Semedo for Rafinha and Sergi Roberto moved into midfield, while Ousmane Dembele came back to Arthur for the final few minutes.
Madrid's hello to Marcelo limped off with 15 minutes left. The Brazilian shared a hug with coach Lopetegui and it may well be a final embrace because moments later, Suarez restored Barca's two-goal lead with a fine header from a Roberto cross.
The same combination made it 4-1 as Roberto spotted Suarez's run and the Uruguayan chipped the ball over Courtois amid wild celebrations at Camp Nou and songs of "uruguayooo" in appreciation for the South American striker, recovering season.
And right at the end, some superb wing play from Dembele set up Barca without Messi, who was beaming in the stands.
Valverde's very first games for Barcelona saw the Blaugrana beaten 5-1 by Real Madrid in a Spanish Supercopa series just after Neymar had left the club in August of last year, so this win will be particularly satisfying for the coach as the champions move seven points clear of their fierce rivals in La Liga.
For Real, it will be a swift pill to swallow but is the confirmation of a death foretold as Lopetegui stares at the sack. The season is still young and Madrid is still recovering, but their coach is not going to be the most humiliating of circumstances.
Source link
