If you were to vote, who would you have picked as the game changer? The Benzema, Xavi, and Sergio Busquets all deserve mention. However, who do you think was the most important player in tonight’s El Clasico? Let us know in the comments section below! And don’t forget to vote for the best player!
Benzema
Karim Benzema will not play in Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. The Benzema has been in superb form for Real Madrid in the 2021-22 season, scoring 32 goals in 34 games across all competitions. But he has suffered a calf injury in Monday’s win over Mallorca. After being ruled out of the last two games, Benzema has emerged as a doubt for the La Liga game. Carlo Ancelotti is not likely to make a decision until Sunday.
If the two teams were paired together, the game would be more football-centric. Real Madrid are without Lionel Messi, who has decided many El Clasico fixtures. On the other hand, Barcelona will be without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Champions League three times in a row. However, the absence of Messi will make this game more football-focussed.
While the absence of Messi and Ronaldo has led to many doubts about the importance of the El Clasico, it remains one of the biggest rivalries in La Liga. With trophies, players and memorable games, the rivalry is firmly embedded in the memory of most football fans. However, it could be an entirely different game this time around. Let’s take a closer look at the key moments.
The Benzema strike turned out to be the difference-maker in this El Clasico. He scored a header on 29 minutes after a cross from Ousmane Dembele. On 74 minutes, he finished off a rebound off the left post and took advantage of the space to finish. Benzema’s hat-trick of assists from Di Maria was unstoppable. Then, Messi levelled the score from Diego Lopez’s near-post header.
Xavi
The El Clásico was a must-watch match for football fans. Real Madrid had been in fine form for the last few weeks, but Barcelona had won their first three games under Xavi Hernandez. In addition to winning two of them, Barca also had possession of the ball and had completed 56 passes in the first half. Xavi, on the other hand, was a game changer in this match, with his stunning volleys and brilliant passing.
In the previous match, Barca had lost 2-0 to Madrid, but after a spirited performance Xavi was one of the standouts. After all, Xavi has helped restore pride to the Camp Nou and brought a sense of coherence to the team’s play. Xavi has also acknowledged that a win tonight will not change the title. Real Madrid, however, are on top form and have high hopes of completing a LaLiga-European Cup double.
Barcelona dominated the first half and went into the break 4-0 up. Luis Suarez scored a brace while Pedro finished a thread-through ball from Iniesta. Aubameyang scored his second on the stroke of half-time after VAR had overturned an offside decision. Despite this goal, Madrid were on the back foot and managed to level the match.
After a poor run of defeats in the Clasico, Barcelona smashed Real Madrid in the Bernabeu to end a five-match losing streak and moved within twelve points of the champions. Both teams have nine matches left to play. Xavi is the game changer for Barcelona and the Premier League. A good start is always good. The next match should be a tense one.
Sergio Llull
While it is not clear whether the absence of Sergio Llull is a cause for concern, he played a crucial role in the game. Although he did struggle with his shooting, he did manage to register 6 points and three assists. In the end, his presence could have been the difference between a Real Madrid win and a defeat. Even though Plaza thought that the Copa del Rey was a tough event for him, he gave Llull the chance to show off his potential.
The Spanish team is missing their star point guard, and Llull has the chance to prove his worth in the NBA. The former Louisville guard was named the Euroleague MVP in 2017 and the point guard for the Spanish national team. He is the best-known player in Spain, and he was the 34th overall pick of the NBA in 2009.
Aside from his shooting, Llull has solid size, a good frame, and solid athleticism. His lanky frame makes him a great ball handler, and he has good mobility. While he doesn’t have the strength to dominate a half-court offense, he can create his own shots and knock them down. His speed and quickness allow him to score outside the arc.
Llull has shown great progress since joining Real Madrid last year. Before joining, he was a bench warmer for Spain’s junior team. However, he has grown as a player and has added valuable experience. He was an integral part of the Spanish U-20 silver medal team last summer, playing in the demanding Spanish second division. Then, in spring, he signed with Real Madrid. He played for their European team and earned a spot on the roster. Although he has yet to make his NBA debut, he should be a regular in the lineup.
Sergio Busquets
Despite his injury problems, Sergio Busquets was the game-changer in tonight’s El Clasico. The Argentine had a fantastic game, scoring in the 87th minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 victory. His goal against Barcelona was a perfect example of his class and he has firmly cemented his place in the history books.
Real Madrid started the game better than Barcelona, but failed to create enough chances to score. In the first half, the hosts were dominated but Barcelona were a tad overmatched. The visitors had a good chance when Vinicius Junior connected with Karim Benzema, but Real Madrid back-pedaled and let Barcelona back in the game.
The Spanish champions have been on a tear since losing the Champions League final. Busquets’ game-changing goal sparked the Catalans into life. Sergio Busquets’ assist to Kun Aguero sealed the win. Despite being the game-changer, the Catalans have a few things to improve on. While Jordi Alba had a poor Clasico, Busquets’ performance was a huge boost.
Barcelona were a tad unlucky not to take the lead and make a comeback in the second half. They had the majority of possession and territory in the first half, with Xavi completing 56 passes in the first half alone. However, they were a man down after half-time, and the game remained evenly matched for the remainder of the match.
While Barcelona had the better players in the first half, the loss at the Bernabeu is a blow for Real Madrid. However, this big-ticket match is no longer a barometer for Real Madrid’s form. With the addition of Busquets, Real Madrid look more organised under the new scheme. With good defense and Vinicius, the team has a decent chance of winning.
Sergio Agüero
If you’re looking for a goal that can change a game, Sergio Agüero was the man to turn to. The Argentine scored two goals in the El Clasico against Real Madrid and tweeted about it. The goal was a consolation, but it was nonetheless the game changer. In the past, Aguero may have scored just one goal in a Clasico match, but tonight he was the difference in the game.
Coutinho was a major letdown tonight. After a bright season with Barcelona, he seemed to have found his feet. However, he made little or no contribution going forward, an area he is believed to excel. However, that didn’t stop him from scoring his side’s second goal. This was a huge disappointment and a sign of the future.
Aguero’s debut came last weekend, when he made his debut for Barcelona against Valencia. After recovering from a calf injury in pre-season, he played in the first two games for the Catalan club. He played more than half an hour against Dynamo Kyiv, which has boosted his confidence. Real Madrid are still a year behind the league leaders Bayern Munich and Benfica, and a win for Aguero could change that.
Before joining Manchester City, Sergio Aguero played 230 games for Atletico Madrid. He scored many goals during that time, so he is familiar with the La Liga landscape and should not have a hard time adjusting to the new surroundings. However, his injury could cause him to miss a game for a while, and he may end up leaving the Premier League.
