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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Oct 25, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

3-1

Ronaldo (35' pen.), Pepe (50'), Benzema (61')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Neymar (4')

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona

Sports Mole analyses how each individual player performed in Saturday's El Clasico at the Bernabeu, which Real Madrid won 3-1 against Barcelona.

Real Madrid moved to within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 3-1 win over the Catalan outfit at the Bernabeu this evening.

Neymar sent Barca into a fourth-minute lead, but goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema turned it around for the hosts, who have now won their last seven in the league after a shaky start.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how each individual player performed in El Clasico.


Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league 'Clasico' football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 25, 2014.© Getty Images

REAL MADRID

Goal

Iker Casillas: Could do nothing to stop Barcelona taking a fourth-minute lead and the Spaniard made some smart saves as the match progressed. Rolled back the years with a strong display. (7/10)

Defence

Dani Carvajal: Super, super performance from the full-back. If he was not making excellent blocks in the defensive third, he was flying down the other end. An all-action display from the defender. (9/10)

Pepe: Barcelona played into Pepe's hands as the Portuguese headed clear cross after cross into the box. Scored his side's second with a powerful header from a Toni Kroos corner. (8/10)

Sergio Ramos: Returned to the team following a recent injury and again looked the part for Los Blancos. Strong in the tackle and aerially dominant in what was a fine defensive performance. (8/10)

Marcelo: Like Carvajal on the opposite side, caused Barcelona all sorts of problems with his pace and energy in the final third. Arguably the best left-back in European football at the moment. (8/10)

Midfield

Luka Modric: Absolutely ran the match from a central position. Was not too involved in an attacking sense, but provided a strong shield to his back four. Anticipated everything. (8/10)

Toni Kroos: Took a bit of time to settle as a Real Madrid player, but is now in great form. Set up Pepe for his side's second and contributed with a classy performance in the middle of the park. (8/10)

Isco: Given the chance to impress due to Gareth Bale's absence and made his mark this evening. Brilliant in possession of the ball and played his part in Real Madrid's excellent counter-attacking football. (8/10)

Attack

James Rodriguez: The Colombian is now showing his World Cup form. Set up Benzema for Real Madrid's third and came close himself with a couple of long-range attempts. (8/10)

Karim Benzema: Barcelona just could not deal with the Frenchman, whose movement and work rate opened doors for his teammates. Scored his side's third with a brilliant finish. (9/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: As expected, was always involved for the home team. Won and scored a first-half penalty, before playing his part in Benzema's goal. Outshone Lionel Messi on the night. (8/10)

Substitutes

Asier Illarramendi: Replaced Isco after 84 minutes and slotted effortlessly into the middle of the park. (6/10)

Sami Khedira: Did not enter proceedings until the 87th minute and therefore had little time to make his mark. Appears increasingly likely that the German will leave the Bernabeu in January. (6/10)

Alvaro Arbeloa: Had even less time than Khedira, with his 89th-minute appearance giving Los Blancos more support in defensive areas. (6/10)


Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates wirh Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi after scoring their first team goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Oct© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Entered the match having not conceded in the league this season, but was not helped by his defence this evening. That said, the goalkeeper did make a couple of smart saves. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Decent enough in an attacking sense, but struggled positionally when Real Madrid attacked with pace and numbers. Also conceded possession too easily in the final third. (6/10)

Gerard Pique: Conceded a first-half penalty for handball and was fortunate not to give away at least one more spot kick. Looked uneasy in defensive areas as Real crowded the Spanish centre-back. (5/10)

Javier Mascherano: Easily his side's best defender on the night. Made a series of impressive blocks and last-ditch challenges, but needed more from those around him. (7/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Surprisingly given the left-back slot ahead of Jordi Alba and struggled in an attacking sense. Looked clumsy in possession of the ball throughout the 90 minutes. (6/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Was a surprise starter following a recent injury and did not look fully fit. Failed to get close to the opposition and was also unusually slow in possession of the ball. (6/10)

Xavi: Given the nod ahead of Ivan Rakitic due to his experience in these matches, but failed to make his mark. Neat and tidy in possession, but could not find that killer pass in the final third. (6/10)

Andres Iniesta: Did his best to make things happen in forward areas, but the Spaniard's evening ended in disappointment when he departed with a calf injury after 72 minutes. (6/10)

Attack

Neymar: Opened the scoring with a brilliant finish inside four minutes, but faded as the match progressed. Had a couple more half-chances, but failed to add to his tally. (7/10)

Lionel Messi: Struggled to make his mark at the Bernabeu. Looked dangerous in possession of the ball, but could not negotiate his way past a stern Real Madrid defence. (6/10)

Luis Suarez: Set up Neymar for Barcelona's opener and looked bright on his official debut for Barcelona. Positive signs going forward for the Uruguay international. (7/10)

Substitutes

Ivan Rakitic: Replaced Xavi on the hour mark and linked up well in the final third. That said, his poor corner led to Real Madrid scoring their third of the match. (6/10)

Pedro: Entered after 69 minutes in place of Suarez, but failed to make a difference. Has struggled thus far this season and tonight was no different. (6/10)

Sergi Roberto: Was the surprise choice to replace Iniesta after 72 minutes. The midfielder was neat and tidy in possession, but failed to offer his team an attacking threat. (6/10)


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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league 'Clasico' football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 25, 2014.
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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