All eyes were on Camp Nou this afternoon, as the first El Clasico without either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in the squads (since 2005) took place. A match-up that in the future could create some new heroes and a clash that gave us some insight for the years to come. Final score 2-1 as El Clasico debutants David Alaba and Sergio Aguero manage to score but it was Los Blancos who head home ecstatic.Intensity was there, it always is, but there were some matches in the past between the two of the biggest Spanish clubs that lacked that beauty this sport brings. Today, it wasn’t so – youngsters and/or those who play their first El Clasico wanted to leave their mark on one of the greatest derbies in the world.Barcelona had the chance to leapfrog Real Madrid in the table with a win but Ancelotti and his squad had their say.In the first 20 minutes rivals were sizing up each other, analyzing the situation on the pitch. In the 21st minute Los Blancos asked for a penalty after Vinicius Junior went down under a challenge in Barca’s box, but referee Jose Sanchez immediately waved away the appeals from all the players in white shirts.Four minutes later Barcelona had a colossal chance. American Sergino Dest found space inside the box to shoot after collecting a short pass, but it was a wasted effort as it flew high over the crossbar.It did not take long for Real Madrid to punish the hosts for the missed opportunity. David Alaba received the ball just outside the penalty area after exchanging passes with Rodrygo – Austrian with Nigerian roots then sent a rocket towards goal that went inside the right post.Koeman’s men did not give up after they conceded. Seconds after Alaba’s goal, a dangerous towering header by Gerard Pique from around the penalty spot went just wide of the left post.Moment before the half-time whistle, Ansu Fati had the ball in the middle of the box, he looked up and shot but the effort was superbly blocked by a defender.🚨 𝙃𝘼𝙇𝙁𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 🚨0️⃣ Barça1️⃣ Real Madrid (D. Alaba, 32′)#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/IJBdm9MczJ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2021 Barca opened the second period eager to equalize as soon as possible. Philippe Coutinho was on the pitch which brought more pace in home team’s attacking plays. However, Real made better choices and made their chances with more ease.First opportunity in the second half came from Real’s Ferland Mendy in the 55th minute. His great solo effort made space for him to try from long-range shot towards the middle of the goal. Marc-Andre ter Stegen had a clear view of it and made a comfortable save.Vinicius Jr was painfully close to taking a lethal shot towards the German goalkeeper in the 61st minute but Dest came just in time to collect the ball of the Brazilian.Karim Benzema, one of the most experienced El Clasico participants, tried in the 63rd minute but his promising effort was kept out by Ter Stegen, who pulled off a decent save.Barca woke up a bit – chances for Coutinho and Fati followed but were not that dangerous to frighten Ancelotti in the dugouts.Both teams looked for ways to get closer to the opponents goal but the visitors from the Spanish capital were more successful. All the attempts from Barca’s players were easy tasks for Real’s defender and Thibout Courtois.¡Estos dos si que saben de triunfos! Ronaldinho y Deco disfrutan de #ELCLÁSICOxESPN entre Barcelona y Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/jtmllFyrlR— ESPN Argentina (@ESPNArgentina) October 24, 2021 In the 74th minute, another legend of world football wrote his name in the El Clasico history books – Sergio Kun Aguero. Argentinian replaced Ansu Fati who tried his best but it can be said that the young star still needs time to shine on the biggest stage.Aguero found himself in a great chance soon after he stepped onto the pitch but his header was not that much of a task for Courtois.In the 93rd minute, Barca were painfully close to scoring out of nowhere. Real Madrid’s defenders reacted in the nick of time and even put in motion a counter-attack that resulted in Los Blancos’ second goal. Lucas Vazquez was quickest to react to the rebound and stabbed the ball into the back of the net.Sergio Aguero did not lose his striker’s touch and he showed it minutes later as he managed to place the ball behind Courtois as a consolation for the sad fans at Camp Nou.The latest installment of one of football’s greatest spectacles did not disappoint. Surely, more was expected from some of the players but it does not look as if this rivalry will die dow nany time soon.Barca failed to win in the last five El Clásico clashes (D1, L4) and Los Blancos will head back home with a huge smile on their faces as they defeated their nemesis again and climbed back to the summit of La Liga.LA LIGA – ROUND 10FridayOsasuna – Granada 1-1SaturdayValencia – Mallorca 2-2Cadiz – Alaves 0-2Elche – Espanyol 2-2Ath.Bilbao – Villareal 2-1SundaySevilla – Levante 5-3Barcelona – Real Madrid 1-2Betis – Rayo Vallecano IN PROGRESS22:00: (1.65) Atl.Madrid (3.60) Sociedad (6.75)Monday22:00: (2.65) Getafe (3.00) Celta (3.15)
