Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale ensured that Real Madrid managed to avoid an embarrassing defeat against a 10-man Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
Gareth Bale’s 72nd minute equalizer ensured that Zidane’s men didn’t leave Catalonia completely empty handed. Luis Suarez opened the scoring with a volley from close range in the 10th minute, after which Real Madrid rallied back and got level through Cristiano Ronaldo in the 14th minute.
Things started getting tense after that and challenges began flying in from both sides. Tempers flared and people were booked left right and center, before Sergi Roberto got sent off for lashing out on Marcelo late in the first half, bringing Barcelona down to 10 men.
It was Barcelona that came out after the break more energised. They fell back deep but kept pressing and attacked on the counter. Eventually with some luck, their hard work paid off as Luis Suarez found Lionel Messi in the box, who avoided two challenges before smashing it past Navas to give his side the lead once again.
Finding themselves a goal down against a 10 man Barcelona, Real Madrid then slowly picked up the pace and Zidane even tweaked the formation a bit to allow his side to get further forward. Marco Asensio found Gareth Bale with a neat pass 20 yards from the goal and the Welshman curled it past Ter Stegen with a first time effort in the 72nd minute.
Keylor Navas: 7.5/10
The Costa Rican could do nothing for the either of the goals he conceded. He otherwise had a good game in goal, making some important saves to keep his side in the game and helped them salvage a draw.
Nacho: 7/10
The Spaniard was deployed at right back and did reasonably well. Couldn’t do a lot going forward, but did well defensively in a largely unfamiliar position and ensured that Barcelona would have no luck on his flank.
Raphael Varane: 7.5/10
Varane has a solid outing in defence. Made some good interceptions, blocks and was superb in the air. Was fouled by Luis Suarez in the build up to Barcelona’s second goal for the night. Could have put a little more pressure to prevent Sergi Roberto from putting in the cross that led to the first goal.
Sergio Ramos: 7.5/10
The captain made some key tackles to keep Barcelona at bay. Could have done far better to prevent Messi from scoring the second of the night. It was an otherwise composed display and he managed to keep his cool and only received a yellow card.
Marcelo: 6.5/10
Not a Clasico to remember for the Brazilian. The cross for Barcelona’s first goal came from his flank and his defensive game was off for large parts of the game. Was good as usual going forward, but Zidane will certainly hope he can get his form up before the Champions League final.
Luka Modric: 7/10
Worked hard, but couldn’t exert the kind of influence in midfield that he would’ve liked. Put in a shift defensively and looked to try and win back possession for his side whenever required. Couldn’t take advantage of having an extra man in the second half. Combined well with Kroos and Casemiro’s presence allowed him to get further forward on occasion.
Casemiro: 8/10
Was at his destructive best on the night. Breaking up passes, winning back possession, making some good tackles and providing adequate defensive cover for his teammates to go forward. It got relatively easier after Barcelona went a man down. Easily Zidane’s best midfielder on the night.
Toni Kroos: 7.5/10
Helped create Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal by starting the move and with Ronaldo and Benzema. Kept his cool when under pressure and kept things moving in the middle of the park.
Gareth Bale: 8/10
What a top corner GOALAZO from Gareth Bale OMG??⚽ ? #ElClasicopic.twitter.com/ULQjdKSxBx
— a (@oatcr7_) May 6, 2018
Scored the all important equalizer. It was a goal worthy of of a final, a first time left footed rocket which gave Marc Andre Ter Stegen no chance. Was largely anonymous in the first half and saw very little of the ball despite getting into good positions and making some good runs into space.
Karim Benzema: 8/10
Set up Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal unselfishly and worked tirelessly to keep the Barcelona defence occupied. Got into some good spaces, linked up well with his teammates, drew players away and held the ball up well. A very good performance from the Frenchman.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 8/10
Most goals scored in El Clasico for Real Madrid across all competitions:
Alfredo Di Stefano
30 games ?♂️
18 goals ⚽️Cristiano Ronaldo
33 games ?♂️
18 goals ⚽️Los Blancos legends. pic.twitter.com/qnDrZTYUeH
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 6, 2018
Made a good run and got himself in the right place at the right time to get the first equalizer. Missed a few good chances, mainly a one on one with Ter Stegen. Was Real’s best player on the night before he was subbed off in half time.
Substitutes
Marco Asensio: 7/10
Was brought on at half time for an injured Cristiano Ronaldo and provided a slick assist for Gareth Bale’s equalizer in the 72nd minute. Wasn’t as threatening on the left side of a front three as Ronaldo, but did well to put pressure and get into some good positions.
