Xabi Alonso’s man of the match performance, Casemiro’s double, and Antoine Griezmann’s brace were some of the highlights of the first El Clasico of the season. If you missed it, you can read my full recap of the game below. Afterwards, I’ll discuss Xabi Alonso’s man of the match performance and a few more stats from the match.
Los Blancos beat Barcelona 2-1 in first El Clasico of the season
After a goalless first half, Real Madrid battled back to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first El Clasico of the season, ending their rivals’ 39-game unbeaten run. While Gerard Pique opened the scoring for Barcelona, Karim Benzema equalized with a powerful volley before the break. Ronaldo came on late to score the winner and close the gap to seven points.
Despite missing two key matches for Real Madrid, Ronaldo still managed to make an impact. He scored in the Supercopa de Espana in May 2018 and the Copa del Rey in 2014. He has scored eighteen goals in El Clasico matches, while Messi has 26. In fact, Madrid have never lost a Clasico without Ronaldo.
The lone goal by Barcelona came in the 32nd minute when Rodrygo teed up David Alaba for the winner. Ronaldo later added a second for Real with a low strike past Keylor Navas. Barcelona had a goal disallowed after Neymar messed up the assist. Ronaldo then scored the clinching goal in the 97th minute.
After Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid, the club struggled to replace him. In fact, the team is currently seventh in LaLiga, behind Barcelona and Real CF. This low position has placed pressure on Julen Lopetegui. The team did win a game against Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday, but the absence of Ronaldo will surely detract from the excitement.
Casemiro scored twice
If Zidane hadn’t been injured, Real Madrid would never have won the La Liga title. However, the team deserves a round of applause for their performance. Casemiro scored twice in Madrid’s game against Barcelona without Ronaldo. Let’s look at the key statistics from the game. First, Real Madrid won the game 3-1. In the second half, Casemiro scored his second goal in as many games.
In the first half, Barcelona were lucky not to concede a penalty after Casemiro’s clumsy challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo. In the second half, Madrid played much better. Casemiro lobbed a shot from distance, while Karim Benzema scored from the penalty spot. And after that, the game was over. Casemiro should have had another assist, but the referee erred in calling the penalty.
After the loss to Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid’s attack has been in shambles. The team has only scored twice in three of their last four games, and Casemiro’s double against Barcelona shows his talent. Madrid also won the first leg of their Spanish Super Cup semi-final against PSG. However, they will meet Messi’s PSG in the final game on March 9.
While the first half of the game is still a draw, this one was far from dull. Real Madrid dominated the possession battle and had a better chance of scoring. However, Barcelona were guilty of giving away big chances and were punished for it. Casemiro’s second goal was a stunning effort that left Ronaldo stunned. It was an amazing performance. The game’s outcome was determined by how the team defended and controlled possession.
Antoine Griezmann scored
Antoine Griezmann ended a six-game goal drought on Friday with his third goal in the 3-1 win against Borussia Dortmund. The striker is still looking for his first goal in the Camp Nou, where he has never scored before. But the Frenchman may soon make his Barcelona debut. Read on to learn more about Griezmann and his impact on the game.
Antoine Griezmann’s goal against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday will give him some confidence going into the second half of the season. The French striker has already won the Ballon d’Or twice, and his goal against the German side may be a stepping stone for his career. Griezmann could follow in the footsteps of Neymar Jr., who has improved in his second season in Spain.
Antoine Griezmann scored against Dortmund with a superb volley, but his relationship with the team is not yet at an all-time high. The France international has been struggling to build bridges with the Spanish giants and has been dropped from the starting XI against Sevilla, who were league leaders when they visited the Camp Nou last month. While it is too early to judge Griezmann, he has said he hasn’t cracked the code of Barca football. Moreover, he has failed to read the runs of his team-mates and lacks confidence to take shots on goal.
Despite their struggles this season, Barcelona remain one of the most important sides in Europe. Although Barcelona have suffered from inconsistency in recent weeks, they still have the potential to make the finals. With Ronaldo’s return imminent, Griezmann is expected to take the reins at the Camp Nou, and his strike will be the key to the club’s success.
Xabi Alonso’s man of the match performance
Xabi Alonso is a former professional Spanish footballer who has played for Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He played as a central midfielder but has a versatile game that has seen him play higher up the field and link play. In his final season at Chelsea, he scored a goal and set up two others, as well as winning the league in both seasons.
As a player, Alonso has improved dramatically under Jose Mourinho. He has become more assertive on the ball and won tackles with ease, drove forward in the first goal and capped it off with a header from 12 yards. Although Alonso rarely plays in the centre forward position, he showed his ability to win a penalty and score the winning goal.
While Alonso’s goal against Liverpool was certainly his best of the season, his man of the match performance against Barcelona was far from his best. In the first half of the game, he was a pedestrian screener and was outmuscled by the pace and power of Barcelona’s forwards. But in the second half, Alonso’s dazzling display in the midfield – and perhaps even his most crucial – man of the match performance against Barca was the highlight of the game.
Xabi Alonso’s man-of-the-match display against Barcelona is the perfect example of a player whose qualities complement a great coach. Alonso has proven himself as an engine conductor and a reliable midfielder. Bayern can rotate world-class players in midfield without sacrificing the quality of their play. There is no doubt about it.
Ronaldo’s legacy
For a decade, the Champions League has been the club’s obsession, and it’s hard to imagine the Spanish club ever winning the competition without the Portuguese talisman. Three successive last-four exits meant that it’s been five years since Ronaldo lifted the trophy. Now that the former Manchester United star is gone, what does the future hold for Real Madrid?
In April 2014, when Barcelona beat Real Madrid, a story emerged in which Suarez was given top billing in the match, with Ronaldo taking second billing. But as Ronaldo’s 400th goal reached, the Portuguese talisman devoted the win to Eusebio, the player who influenced him so greatly. And after the game, Ronaldo’s legacy is being debated.
The Portuguese superstar began his career at Sporting CP before joining Manchester United. His debut season saw him wear the number nine shirt, while the team won the La Liga title. In his third season, he hit a career-high 46 league goals. He later set a new record with seventeen UEFA Champions League goals. In his last season, he hit a personal best of 61 goals in La Liga. His impressive stats have helped him become the club’s all-time leading scorer.
In the current season, both sides have their flaws. Barca’s infamous MSN combination of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar is still a force, but Real Madrid’s striking options are stronger than Barcelona’s. They have the proven Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain, and Sergio Ramos. Meanwhile, Messi remains the main striker for Barcelona.
Messi’s record against Real Madrid
Lionel Messi’s record against Real Madrid is not one for the faint-hearted. In just five appearances, he’s scored nine goals – two hat-tricks and five braces. And in those five games, Zidane’s team have looked nothing like the one that was crowned champions the previous year. But the record is not all bad: he’s only two goals away from the most El Clasico victories by one player.
In 46 matches against Real Madrid, Messi has scored at least one goal. In all, he’s scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists. Compared to his total number of goals, the former Barcelona striker has a more favorable record against Real than any other player. Even if his stats don’t reflect it, he has an excellent record against Real. However, it is not entirely clear whether he can improve his record against Real Madrid.
The Barcelona forward has never been sent off against Real. However, he has picked up 14 yellow cards in Clasicos. His first appearance against Real was on November 19, 2005, and he assisted Samuel Eto’o during a 3-0 victory for Barcelona at the Bernabeu. In 2012, Messi scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 7-goal game at the Santiago Bernabeu. Against Real, Messi also scored a hat-trick in Clasico 2014 (three goals, two assists).
The debate over who is better is as old as the game itself, with many saying that the Frenchman is better than the Egyptian. But this debate has only made matters worse. With the two sides of the debate split, who should be rewarded with the Golden Boot? Here are some arguments in favour of either player. Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappe, Salah or Nkunku, the central striker at RB Leipzig.
Mbappe or Salah?
As the hottest property at Paris Saint-Germain, it is difficult to make a choice between Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. While Mbappe has established himself as one of the world’s most promising young players, Salah is well-established in the Premier League and has recently caught the eye of Real Madrid. Both players are considered one of the best players in the world on current form, but Salah has missed out on individual awards. The Egyptian has only been given four Premier League cards and has contributed very little defensively.
If you compare Mbappe and Salah’s stats in Ligue 1, Mbappe has the edge, but it’s the latter who has the better international record. Both strikers have similar numbers, but one player is more impressive than the other. But what is their relative impact on the Premier League? Mo Salah scored six goals in his last five appearances for Liverpool, while Mbappe has nine in his last five.
Real Madrid are interested in signing Kylian Mbappe, but the French forward’s current deal is set to expire in the summer, so they may seek to sign Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in the upcoming transfer window. However, Salah’s current contract is up in 2023, so if the Reds are desperate to get rid of Mbappe before the end of next season, they could look to cash in on the Egyptian before he starts his new contract at the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Mbappe
There are several factors to consider when evaluating whether Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Kylian Mbappe. Both players share a common desire to win the competition and have the ability to perform on the biggest stage. Both players have the potential to surpass one another, but only time will tell whether Mbappe is more talented than Ronaldo. Listed below are three important factors that can help you decide whether Mbappe is better than Ronaldo:
Mbappe’s meteoric rise has led him to be ranked ahead of Messi and Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbappe says that inflated egos are crucial to success. He also says that Messi is the best player in the world, despite not playing for the two clubs. This may make Mbappe a better player than he actually is, and it will only benefit his career in the long run.
Mbappe has a slight edge in the number of senior appearances, with ten more senior matches. However, he did not have a senior debut until mid-December 2015, while Ronaldo made his professional debut in September 2002. Although Mbappe has more senior appearances, they are all club football. Both players have 46 international caps between them. The comparisons are based on player performance, which is more important than the number of goals.
Mohamed Salah is a team player
Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah has been one of the most talked about players in recent years. He has led Liverpool to the title and won the Champions League with his team. He has also played for the Egyptian national team and is considered a national hero in his homeland. Born in Nagrig, Basyoun, Egypt, Salah grew up in a Muslim household and watched Champions League games. He has scored seven goals in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool defenders have praised Salah’s contribution to the club’s title-winning season. Salah, who scored nine goals in the 2017-18 season, was also named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year. Aside from his individual accolades, he has also won numerous awards as a team player. In the Premier League, Salah was voted the Premier League player of the season, and he was named African Footballer of the Year in 2017.
Although his individual accolades are impressive, his team performance is even more impressive. During the 2017-18 season, Salah was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, and in the Premier League, he won three Golden Boots. Other awards he has won include Playmaker of the Season and Player of the Season. Furthermore, Salah also finished third in the FIFA Men’s Player award in 2018 and 2021. He also received the 2018 FIFA Puskas Award.
Nkunku is a central striker at Leipzig
Liverpool have opened talks with RB Leipzig over a transfer for Christopher Nkunku, a former Paris Saint-Germain striker. In the past, the two clubs have collaborated on several transfers, including the signings of Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita. The latter has also been linked with a move to Chelsea.
The former Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch said of Nkunku that he has no weaknesses and is more versatile than either Mbappe or Mo Salah. He has also filled out his five-foot-ten frame, which had always been a source of doubt for coaches. But the midfielder has now exceeded expectations and bulked up without sacrificing his explosiveness.
While Mo Salah and Mbappe have already surpassed Mo Salah’s scoring record, Nkunku has yet to reach his full potential. The former Paris Saint-Germain academy product has scored five goals and provided 15 assists in his first season in the Bundesliga, and has also featured in the German Cup and Europa League. With such a high level of play, it’s easy to see why Nkunku should be RB Leipzig’s central striker instead of Mo or Mbappe.
The Frenchman could also be interested in Nkunku, who has a similar skill set to Mo Salah and Mbappe. While the Frenchman may have been better in the French League, Nkunku’s experience in Europe and Germany makes him a worthy candidate for the Ballon d’Or. If Mo Salah and Mbappe fail to impress, Nkunku is still an option for Chelsea.
Kylian Mbappe’s future at Paris Saint-Germain
In the past few weeks, speculation has mounted over the future of Kylian Mbappe, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. However, the teenager has stayed loyal to the Parc des Princes club after signing a new three-year deal. After signing a new contract at PSG, Mbappe has pledged his future until June 30. This is a huge boost for the French club after they reportedly rejected a series of bids from Real Madrid.
According to reports in France, Mbappe plans to announce his decision before France face Denmark in the Nations League on 3 June. A French newspaper claimed that Mbappe has agreed to stay at PSG for three years, but Mbappe’s mother has denied this report. However, there is no secret that Mbappe has long been linked with Real Madrid, and he has made it clear that he would like to play for them. Despite the current situation, the ten-time Ligue 1 champions are battling for Mbappe’s signature, and the player has stated that he is prepared to leave PSG if the deal is not agreed.
While the news of his decision to leave the club has shocked the football world, the player himself has not spoken publicly about his plans. Instead, he is happy to weigh up his future options. Unlike LeBron James, Mbappe has the power to decide his future, and he is happy to do so. Despite his lack of certainty, however, he is the best player in the world, and will certainly go far in the game.
Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool
After a brilliant season in which he finished joint top goalscorer with Liverpool’s Son Heung-Min and won his third Golden Boot in five seasons, the Egyptian international is angling for a new contract at Anfield. The last contract extension was signed in July 2018, but a stalled wage demands clause has left Liverpool unable to offer more. Unless the club can offer more to Salah, they will be unlikely to compromise on the price.
The report claims to reveal the inside story of Salah’s contract talks with Liverpool. According to the report, Salah is reportedly willing to sign a ‘highly-incentivised’ contract, which could push his earnings past PS400,000 if he meets performance targets. The deal’s performance criteria are said to focus on goal involvements and contributions, and the broad structure was agreed in the United States around the turn of the year. However, Salah’s team sent revised demands to the club earlier this year.
The Egyptian’s performance under Klopp has been phenomenal, capturing the hearts of fans with his relentless, goal-oriented style. His 0.87 goals per game have made him a firm favourite at Anfield. He has outscored rivals Eden Hazard and Wayne Rooney in terms of goals per game. Clearly, Salah is the man to follow for Liverpool. And his future at Anfield looks bright – as long as he keeps improving.
