Balague’s Clasico verdict

Did Luis Enrique get his tactics wrong? Is luck going Real Madrid’s way? Guillem Balague gives his Clasico verdict…

The Sky Sports Spanish football expert looks back on an absorbing encounter at the Nou Camp, as Sergio Ramos’ late header salvaged a draw for the visitors.

Real Madrid remain six points clear of their rivals after 14 matches, having cleared a major hurdle in their bid to win the title for the first time since 2012…

Barca missed their chance

Let’s start at the end and work backwards. The goal scored in the last minute by Ramos doesn’t fully represent the game because I felt from the moment Andres Iniesta came on, the dynamic had changed in favour of Barcelona. 

Luis Suarez had just scored the first goal, Lionel Messi was getting on the ball and, even though up to that point it had been a very conservative Clasico, the big chances were falling to Neymar and Messi. Strangely, they were not effective enough at the right time.

Real Madrid’s late show

It was interesting the Ramos goal came from a set-piece Real Madrid have practiced in training. It involved three players running to the near post, but also Lucas Vazquez blocking Gerard Pique, as he had done on a couple of occasions earlier in the game.

Three Barcelona players didn’t move at all in the box too, which shows a surprising lack of intensity and a lot of desire on the part of Real Madrid, which is typical of them. They have won 11 points in the last 10 minutes of games this season, and won the European Super Cup against Sevilla with a late goal.

It looked like a team lacking that final gear of intensity against a side used to finding extra energy in the key part of the game.

Zidane getting it right

Zinedine Zidane says their fine form is down to hard work, which is correct, but that extra gear is also down to keeping the second-string players engaged. It’s been so important considering the injuries they have suffered, the most recent being Gareth Bale.

Real Madrid look physically strong and if they do drop their level, it tends to be at the beginning of matches. It didn’t happen so much in the Clasico or against Atletico Madrid, but sometimes they lack pace in their passing early on. It’s perhaps a mental issue over a physical one – some games they start a bit more relaxed.

But what a difference a year makes. It was 4-0 in November 2015 at the Bernabeu under Rafael …

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