El Clasico: Five talking points

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late winner as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp in the latest clash of Spanish football’s biggest clubs, on Saturday night. Here, we look at five talking points from El Clasico.

Barcelona are not infallible — will doubts set in?

Barcelona’s defeat ended a record 39-game unbeaten run in all competitions. For most of the season the Spanish and European champions have seemed near invincible, but this was a reminder their jobs are not yet done. Atletico Madrid, their nearest challengers in La Liga, are now back within six points and will also be confident ahead of their upcoming quarter-final clash with the Catalans in the Champions League. For Real, just seven points back, there may also be a glimmer of hope, as well as a possible psychological advantage should the sides meet again in the Champions League. Treble-chasing Barcelona were second best and will need to show a response.

Zinedine Zidane could have prospects

Zidane prevailed in his first Clasico as coach and the result could have implications for his long-term future in the post. His stellar career as a player may not be any guarantee of longevity but results such as this might. His popularity has also earned him some latitude with the fans. Predecessor Rafael Benitez often appeared reluctant to use defensive midfielder Casemiro as supporters clamoured for attacking football, but Zidane’s deployment of him without dissent has given the team greater balance. Real won the midfield battle and this was a tactical success for Zidane.

Even the best attacking weapons need service

The Barcelona front line of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar had a rare off night. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact all three had only recently returned from international duty in South America, or perhaps Real and Zidane deserve the credit. Real’s dominance of midfield ensured the MSN — as they are becoming known — were underfed, even though they did have chances that on another night might have gone in.

Sergio Ramos will never learn

On what was otherwise a great night for Real, their captain Sergio Ramos had another Clasico to forget. His sending off was his fourth in this fixture and the 20th of his Real Madrid career. He was foolish to earn an early booking for dissent — even if he had a point — and was consequently walking a tightrope throughout the game. He had numerous escapes before his luck eventually ran out in the 83rd minute. He seems incapable of learning from his mistakes.

Has Bale unveiled his secret weapon?

We’ve seen brilliant free-kicks, stunning finishes and scintillating runs from Gareth Bale over the years but at the Nou Camp he showed something new — the ability to take Rory Delap-style long throw-ins. Perhaps this is a skill he developed years ago, back when his Tottenham career appeared to be stalling and he was being linked with Birmingham and Nottingham Forest, to add an extra string to his bow that he subsequently never needed. It seems unlikely he’ll need to use it much at the Bernabeu, but maybe Wales manager Chris Coleman has taken note ahead of Euro 2016.