El Clásico – LaLiga week 10
Barcelona humiliated Real Madrid 5-1 and likely end Lopetegui tenure as head coach of the European champions.
Down 2-0 at the break, Real Madrid came back in this game and almost found a way to level it up when Modric hit the woodwork at the 65’. However in the absence of Leo Messi, Suárez danced with the defense to score a hat-trick.
Finally Vidal added another goal to finish the rout against a poor opposing side. We knew it was going to be tough for Real Madrid to bring something from Camp Nou but to show such a terrible display tells us changes are inevitable. Madrid will change its coach but also need to recruit a forward during the winter break.
Ninth place in the table.
Barcelona lead LaLiga standings with 21 points and Real Madrid sit at a miserable ninth spot after a third of the League games played. The players form the capital have lost four out of their first 10 games and sit seven point behind their rivals. Judging from the current situation and as crazy as it sounds, Real Madrid could miss Champions League next year! A serious shake-up is needed for the post Cristiano Ronaldo and Zidane era. Two monuments left and the ship is sinking.
Coach Lopetegui reacts: [It is probably his last match as head coach for Real Madrid]
“A defeat is always hard and against Barcelona even more so. We had the opportunity to turn it around, creating clear chances to draw and win the game in the second half. In the first they were superior and in the second we changed things and were better.
I’m sad and it’s a tough one, but it’s only October and I have the strength to think that we can turn this around and I have confidence in the group.
“The responsibility ultimately lies with the coach, but we all win and lose together. I still believe that it’s early days in terms of the season and despite today being a sad day, I’m certain that this team will fare better in the second half of the season than we have in the first”.
Barcelona coach Valverde on the large result:
“We’re very happy for the people, our fans. Now the game is over we can enjoy it. While it’s happening you are too concentrated and tense.”
“Luis Suárez? Hard work brings rewards. The hat-trick is a consequence of everything he has been doing. He is always there.”
“We totally dominated the game in the first half and they sat back. They surprised us a bit early in the second half, but we also knew how to react and that’s how the final score came about.”
