Debutants mark the newest El Clasico – Alaba’s goal to propel Real’s victory, Aguero’s to ‘ease the pain’BarcelonaTER STEGEN – 6 – He wasn’t so bad, indeed. Yes, conceded two, but far from being deplorable. Saved a couple of blatant goal-scoring chances.ALBA – 6 – This wasn’t his game. Without a serious mistake, but he found it almost impossible to make his trademark runs by the sideline.PIQUE – 8 – Barca’s legend was the best among the hosts. Fearless and brave, he fought heavily on both ends, giving energy to his modest side. Too bad he didn’t score once Koeman transferred him to attack.GARCIA – 7 – He pulled of something no one expected to see – Benzema didn’t score. Unlike Mingueza, he seemed fine enough paired up with Pique.MINGUEZA – 5 – He simply couldn’t get a grip. He was nowhere near the expected level, and that’s the reason Koeman subbed him early in the second half.BUSQUETS (c) – 7 – His work is always worth a respect, but there’s no Messi nor Xavi nor Iniesta anymore to provide him with enough space and time to do all the necessary ‘dirty work’.GAVI – 7 – Only 17 years of age, but shows he’s capable of delivering some fine defending. Needs more games like this to blossom into a true gem.F. DE JONG – 6 – We expected much, much more from the Dutch midfielder. He seemed nowhere near the action. Modric and Kross were giving him some free lessons there.ANSU FATI – 7 – Huuh, if he could have only scored from those two chances in the first half, it would be a much different game than it actually was. Still, deserves an applause.DEPAY – 6 – The striker of his ilk ought to score in such a massive game. Sure, he was trying all the time, driving Vazquez crazy on the wing, but without that final punch.DEST – 7 – Just like his friend Fati, he’s the future of the Camp Nou outfit. He assisted superbly to Kun for Barca’s only goal. Too mad he missed that sitter in the first half that could make all the difference.Subs:COUTINHO (’47) – 5 – Not sufficient for the player of his level and skills. He spent almost the entire second half on the pitch clueless.SERGI ROBERTO (’77) – N/AL. DE JONG (’85) – N/AAGUERO (’74) – 8 – If this guy was in the lineup from the kick-off, Barca would probably score much sooner than the stoppage time. It was clear that wingers won’t break Madrid’s defence, but ask Koeman why he kept Kun on the bench for so long.Coach: KOEMAN – 5 – What’s there more to say about the guy? It was blatantly clear they desperately need a genuine ‘9’ there, but he put Aguero on the bench and put him in when it was too late.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Real MadridCOURTOIS – 7 – Not too much work for him. He wasn’t even close in the first half when he faced Dest in that one-on-one situation. With a clean sheet in El Clasico, you ought to get at least 7.MENDI – 8 – The return of a die-hard defender was just what Real needed. Fearless in defence, at disposal in offence, too, deserves a pat on the back for his display.ALABA – 9 – His performance was second to none. Alaba stopped Ansu Fati from scoring in the first half with that excellent last-ditch reaction. He netted on the other end following a superb counter-attack in the manner of a natural-born forward. He slipped prior to Aguero goal, but that was his only mistake.MILITAO – 7 – Good enough. He helped Alaba as a centre-back, giving Depay, Fati and co. very little space to attack through the middle. Some fine defending.VAZQUEZ – 6 – Real Madrid’s maybe weakest link today. Barca felt that too, almost straight from the kick-off. Despite scoring that second goal, it was not a performance to be too proud of.MODRIC – 7 – Confident, as usual. Los Blancos’ silent hero was there in the middle to organize the game and cope with the pressure of high expectations.CASEMIRO – 6 – We’ve seen many fixtures with much better Casemiro than today. He seemed a bit shy on the pitch. Not what Ancelotti needs.KROOS – 7 – Just like Modric, Kroos is to ‘blame’ for Madrid’s dominance in the middle. Had one suspicious tackle on De Jong in the box, unintentionally hitting the ball with a hand, but the ref thought it was not worth a penalty.VINICIUS JR. – 9 – Don’t let his surname fool you because the Brazilian played like a true veteran. Every once in a while, you could see him storming through the opponents’ defence. Despite not scoring, he was superb. With Alaba, definitely the man of the match.RODRYGO – 8 – Have you seen that impeccable assist of his to Alaba for the winner? A world-class forward that works a lot for the team’s sake.BENZEMA (c) – 7 – It was not that lethal Benzema we’ve used to see since the beginning of the season, but, nevertheless, the Frenchman did prove he’s worth that captains armband.Subs: VALVERDE (’72 – ’90+2) – N/AASENSIO – (’87) – N/ACARVAJAL – (’90+2) – N/ACoach: ANCELOTTI – 8 – The clever Italian once again demonstrated how good tactician he really is. He outsmarted his counterpart, Koeman, with those delightful counter-attacks.
