For the first Clasico since the departure of Lionel Messi, it was announced the start of a new era. THE247th clash between the two La Liga giants resulted in a muddled encounter, with ultimately few clear opportunities on either side. In this little game of the convalescent cadets, Real Madrid is clearly one step ahead of FC Barcelona.
More precise, serene and clinical, the White House players imposed their law at Camp Nou, thanks to a goal from one of the rare recruits of the summer, David Alaba, and another, late, from Lucas Vazquez . Agüero reduced the mark at the end of added time for FC Barcelona, but it was already too late.
Turning point of the match, the realization of David Alaba has everything symbolic. Arrived free this summer from Bayern Munich, the Austrian defender was for a long time the only major player in Madrid’s transfer window, before the late recruitment of Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga. The only XXL reinforcement for Real this summer, Alaba turned into a providential man for his first Clasico, scoring his first goal after eleven matches in the Madrid jersey. Established in the axis of the defense, the ultra-versatile Austrian found himself in the position of left winger after a backlash and took the opportunity to shoot Ter Stegen with a heavy cross strike (0-1 , 31st). The only shot on target in a laborious first act.
And this, in spite of the audacity of the youth in the two camps. On the Catalan side, Ansu Fati was the most prominent in an experimental attack, where Sergiño Dest seemed in distress (like his only miss against goal, 24th). But it was his Madrid counterpart, Vinicius, who was the most agitated.
9 – @vinijr has attempted 9 dribbles against Barça (4 completed) – no @realmadriden player has attempted more in a # ElClásico match at Camp Nou in @LaLigaEN since at least 2005/06 (also 9 Kaká in 2009, Marcelo in 2015 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016). Show. pic.twitter.com/3knmWw0Apx
– OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 24, 2021
The Brazilian Real has multiplied the arabesques to make Barça dizzy, even thinking of getting a penalty (20th), before offering the goal to David Alaba. In a somewhat soft start to the match between two big names lacking benchmarks, Vinicius was one of the rare sparks of a Real Madrid while mastering, efficient, against a Barça as voluntary as clumsy. With a little more success, the Catalans could however have picked up before the break on a header from Pique (34th), or on a strike from Fati countered at close range by… David Alaba, again him.
With all the good moves, the Austrian then returned to his defensive tasks to contain the Catalan rebellion at the start of the second act, in particular initiated by the incoming Philippe Coutinho. But after this small storm without consequences, Real took control. On a sleazy love of Luka Modric, Karim Benzema could even have given air to his people on the hour mark. But the Frenchman was in a day without, like his lack of timing alone against goal (71st).
4 – @realmadriden have won their last four games in all competitions against Barcelona, their best run in # ElClásico since 1965 (seven, one in Copa del Rey and six in LaLiga). Conquest. pic.twitter.com/DfZCLNzetp
– OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 24, 2021
Nothing detrimental for Real Madrid, who finally made the break in added time on a goal snatched by Lucas Vazquez (0-2, 92nd). In the process, Sergio Agüero slipped his first goal in the FC Barcelona shirt, but it was already too late (1-2, 97th). In a packed Camp Nou, Barça ended up on the mat. Realistic, the Madrilenians find the head of La Liga.