Liga, Matchday 9 – Real Madrid win the Clasico against Barça at Camp Nou (1-2), Benzema silent, Alaba decisive – Eurosport FR

Real Madrid signed the perfect shot. Pragmatic, Carlo Ancelotti’s players firmly contained and dominated their Barcelona rivals in the Clasico during the 10th day of La Liga, Sunday (1-2). The unexpected David Alaba opened the scoring superbly in the first period (32nd), Lucas Vazquez punished helpless Blaugrana in the last moments (90th + 4). The reduction in the score of Sergio Agüero (90th + 7) only saved the honor of pale Barça, 8th in the standings. The Merengue, on the other hand, are happy leaders.

In the middle of a well-filled Camp Nou and under a frank sun, the Barcelonans tried to take things and made the ball turn in the camp of visitors long very cautious and withdrawn. Faced with a compact block, they trampled and seriously lacked inspiration and faculty of percussion as much as Gavi and Frenkie de Jong have never been able to initiate anything while Sergiño Dest, holder as a right winger has, quite logically, posted his shortcomings in this post. The American however found himself in an ideal position in the middle of the truth zone after a service from Memphis Depay but he found a way to send the ball over the target (25th).

Barça helpless

It was obviously a turning point in this closed match. Because even if Karim Benzema has shown little overall, the Madrilenians have shown great efficiency. They can thank Alaba who recovered the ball in front of Memphis Depay in his 30 meters before continuing his effort and scoring with a powerful shot at the entrance to the opposing surface after relays from Vinicius and Rodrygo (0-1, 32nd ). The Austrian center-back will long remember his first goal in the Merengue jersey.

Gerard Pique almost equalized quickly but his head on a corner was too uncrossed (35th). Alaba, he remained biting in defense and managed to counter Ansu Fati who would adjust Thibaut Courtois (45th). Aware of the serious lack of cohesion, inspiration and offensive dynamism of his players, Ronald Koeman launched Philippe Coutinho on the restart and replaced Dest in defense. Barça was more threatening, but not really more dangerous against a Real much more spicy on its rare offensives. Dest had to come back to Vinicius (60th) at the last minute, then Luka Modric and Benzema set fire to Marc-André ter Stegen (62nd).

Despite the entry into play of Agüero for the last quarter of an hour, the Blaugrana continued to stumble on a rigorous Madrid rearguard. They finally thought they had found the fault in a hot situation in the opponent’s area but got embarrassed and were punished in the wake of an express cons of the visitors concluded by Vazquez (0-2, 90th + 4). If Agüero reduced the score a few moments later by taking over a low cross from Dest (1-2, 90th + 6), it was far too late and Real Madrid won their fourth Clasico in a row, signing their best series since 55 years.