La Liga and European champions Real Madrid have been rocked by a much-transformed Barcelona aspect that handed them a 4-0 thrashing within the season’s first El Clasico Saturday.
Going into the match on the Santiago Bernabeu, nevertheless, Real have been assured they might undo Barcelona’s fast revival beneath Hansi Flick. They had each motive to be.
The reigning Spanish and European champions had gone 42 matches unbeaten within the league, one in need of the all-time document held by their arch-rivals.
They flexed their muscle groups in midweek, thrashing Borussia Dortmund 5-2 within the Champions League with a sensational second-half show by which Vinicius Junior – who’s tipped to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday – scored a hat trick.
And this summer time Madrid lastly signed the participant they craved for years, French celebrity Kylian Mbappe, a devastating attacking menace seemingly destined to raise them to an excellent greater aircraft.
That was President Florentino Perez’s dream. Mbappe’s too.
The hotly anticipated Clasico, Mbappe’s first, was the right stage for him and Madrid to place Barcelona of their place.
Flick’s tactical strategy, that includes an especially excessive line of defense, additionally appeared ripe for Mbappe and Vinicius to pillage with their tempo.
However, Los Blancos have been caught out time and time once more by Barcelona’s supremely well-drilled offside entice and have been in the end dismantled in the identical means they’d anticipated beating their opponent.
Shockwaves
Robert Lewandowski’s brace early within the second half surprised the Bernabeu and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha’s strikes on the counterattack helped Barcelona to a sensational 4-0 triumph to maneuver six factors clear on the prime of La Liga.
The victory despatched shockwaves by means of the capital and induced Madrid followers and media to launch an inquisition of their crew.
Mbappe, who had two objectives disallowed for offside, minimize an especially pissed off determine and is but to settle on the membership.
The ahead has six league objectives this season in distinction to Lewandowski’s 14.
“The star’s first Clasico was a cataclysm – a failure, stumbling eight times in Flick’s offside trap. Shrunken and without venom, he’s a worry,” wrote Madrid newspaper AS.
“Kylian Mbappe will not keep fond memories of his first Clasico with Real Madrid, instead he will try to turn the page as quickly as possible,” added Marca.
“The goal was getting smaller and smaller for Kylian, and he could not find a way of beating (Barca goalkeeper) Inaki Pena.”
Despite Ancelotti insisting Mbappe was “calm” forward of the sport, latest occasions might have taken a toll.
He is wrangling with former membership Paris Saint-Germain over tens of millions in again pay and was criticized in his homeland after not taking part in for France in latest Nations League fixtures.
Swedish media reported he’s being investigated over an alleged rape in Stockholm following a visit there through the worldwide break. Mbappe has dismissed the experiences as “fake news.”
‘Don’t should bin the whole lot’
Ancelotti insisted his crew had not been despatched again to sq. one.
“I liked the first half, we have to follow that line,” mentioned the coach.
“We do not should throw the whole lot within the bin, we simply should overlook the final half-hour – we will not quit, we simply should study.
“We came out of the last defeat well and we have to do the same, I am certain we will do better.”
Madrid final misplaced in La Liga over a 12 months in the past, towards Atletico Madrid, and Ancelotti tinkered together with his set-up afterward, giving Jude Bellingham a hybrid position.
The England worldwide had began the season up entrance and scored 10 objectives in his first 10 video games, however later helped protect the crew defensively on the left.
This season Ancelotti has moved Bellingham out of assault to accommodate Mbappe, however has not but discovered a everlasting dwelling for the midfielder.
Without the creativity and knowledge of Toni Kroos, who retired this summer time, Madrid have been wildly inconsistent.
Fede Valverde has inherited Kroos’s No. 8 shirt however regardless of taking a central position this season is struggling to set the tempo of matches.
Mbappe may be extra comfy taking part in off the left flank, the place he thrived at PSG, however that can be Vinicius’s favourite place.
Ancelotti has loads to chew over within the weeks forward whereas attempting to make sure Barcelona don’t race out of sight.
Source: www.dailysabah.com