Barca prove they are still kings of La Liga

Barcelona’s 2-0 victory at Real Madrid in ‘El Clasico’ proved that they are still by far the best team in Spain.

Real looked in good shape before the clash and it was their chance to claim a vital psychological blow over their fierce rivals.

However they failed to take the opportunity given to them and now Barca look to have the vital edge over their rivals.

This game summed up the two clubs at the moment. Barca are the reigning kings and Real are just next in line for the thrown.

Tactics

Real failed to perform and I believe it was down to Pep Guardiola getting his tactics absolutely spot on. He not always given credit for his tactical nous but last night’s game he got the better of Manuel Pellegrini.

Disappointing

You could also say that Real underperformed. Their star players didn’t have the same effect on this clash that they have had in recent games. Rafael van der Vaart has been in a rich run of form of late but couldn’t seem to get in the game.

Gonzalo Higuain didn’t play like he has in recent weeks either. I’ve became a big fan of the Argentinian since he arrived at Real but he was ineffective last night. However it could be argued he didn’t have the supply from the midfield.

The biggest disappointment for me was the world most expensive player, Cristiano Ronaldo. He has also been in superb form this season and had a few chances last night but didn’t take them. It took him a long time to get himself into the game and when he did he disappointed.

He can’t be the match winner in every game but you expect your big players to step up to the plate in the big games and they don’t get any bigger than ‘El Clasico’.

Brilliant

For once It wasn’t little Leo who impressed me the most in the Barcelona side last night. It was home-grown midfielder Xavi. The little Spanish international has been the creative engine of the Barcelona team for awhile now and his performance last night was fantastic.

I don’t believe he receives the praise he should and is often overlooked because of Lionel Messi’s brilliance. He is one of Messi’s most important creators and without Xavi he wouldn’t be the force he is now. He had a hand in both of the goals last night and his around play was superb.

Ronaldo vs Messi

As I mentioned before Ronaldo’s performance last night was a disappointment. He is the complete opposite to Messi in personality and they conduct themselves in very different ways both on and off the pitch. However both are superstars in their own right.

Messi didn’t have a spectacular game but he provided a vital moment in the game.

Ronaldo though couldn’t provide a goal when it mattered the most. That’s the difference between Ronaldo and Messi at the moment. Messi comes up with the goals in big games and Ronaldo sometimes disappears. (Last year’s Champions League final a good example).

Title

This victory doesn’t guarantee Barcelona the La Liga title but it’s worth its weight in gold. Barca now have a three point advantage at the top and the all important better head-to-head record. The victory also ended Real’s superb run of form which will dent their confidence.

As Cristiano Ronaldo revealed after the game that Real haven’t yet given up on the title. They will now need the European champions to slip up at some point and I just don’t see that happening. This victory will have given Barca that extra bit of confidence needed to finish the season in strong fashion.

I believe Barca will now go on and clinch the title and Champions League crown. They continue to win crucial games and get results when they really matter. It now looks as though Real may well have to settle for second best, at least until next season.