Barcelona

Real Madrid got everything wrong -- and Ancelotti might be in trouble for it -- but take nothing away from Xavi and Barcelona for Sunday's triumph.

But his absence neither needed Madrid's Italian manager to invent a 4-1-4-1 formation that the team weren't in a position to impose, nor to suddenly risk a 3-5-2 formation when the slightest error at the back would be fatal. Nor should Benzema's absence have caused the vast majority of Madrid's players to turn in low-grade, lazy, haphazard, listless performances in a Clasico. The idea of going to three at the back, allowing an already utterly rampant Barcelona attack to go one-on-one against an improvised line of Nacho, Militao and Alaba was rampant folly. Eduardo Camavinga, on at half-time, copied his elders and betters by, within a couple of minutes, gifting the ball away cheaply then being robbed, easily, by Frenkie De Jong to create the third goal. Before Araujo effectively kills the game with his header for 2-0, you just need to look at the schoolboy state (sorry to schoolboys everywhere) of Madrid's preparation for the killer corner. Ancelotti then wanted the latter pair -- two brilliant, ruthless men -- to use Barcelona's cheaply lost possession to smash them with a series of quick passes in the last third of the pitch while Xavi's team were caught unawares. The last time a Madrid side played with this lethargy, lack of attention to detail or lack of competitive spirit was in Paris a month ago. But there was an immediate catastrophe, and one neither Ancelotti nor the absent Benzema have anything to do with. Not only didn't that work, but Madrid's press was largely made to look like what it is, a recent concept and a weekend-DIY project rather than expert and industrially strong. So, were Ancelotti to finish this season with two trophies and, say, a Champions League semifinal, he should be awarded a laurel wreath for his head and called a hero. I thought then, and still think now, that Ancelotti received the equivalent of a yellow card from his employer than night. (It bears noting Fabio Capello was sacked in 2009 after winning the league, while Jupp Heynckes met a similar fate in 1998 after winning the Champions League.)

BARCELONA thumped Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico on Sunday. · FC Barcelona top 5 most expensive signings · Related articles · Hammers done well to stay in 'Top Four ...

Barcelona are ready to cool interest in Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski due to the sensational form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports. Yet Barcelona are now ready to rethink and back Aubameyang to fire them back to the highest level. “It is tough because it is a Clasico, for the fans when we play against Barca... it is a blow, we have lost a battle, we still have an advantage and we have to stay calm and get back our injured players,” he said. At the age of 32, that’s something they believe is ‘complicated’ for the former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund striker to achieve. Therefore, with Aubameyang operating at the peak of his powers once again, Barcelona are ready to abandon their pursuit for good. Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.

Two goals in either half gave Barcelona a comprehensive victory as they showed no mercy on the pitch, and the club appeared to be in a similarly ruthless ...

and claim Ronald Araujo 'pocketed' Vinicius Jnr at the Bernabeu Barcelona posted a meme of Kermit the Frog as they ruthlessly mocked Real Madrid Barcelona mock Real Madrid with a series of hilarious memes - including Kermit the Frog and Spider-Man - as they revel in 4-0 thrashing of their bitter rivals...

A dominant 4-0 win over Real Madrid can 'change the dynamic of the present and future'

It was just, in the words of Xavi himself, “one spectacular display”. Gerard Pique was back looking like one of the best defenders in the world. For now, and despite the hope of that “present and future”, Xavi was asked to look back to the past. The Barcelona coach was asked whether the win actually reminded him of 2004. As well as a more intense Barca, he has also created a more intelligent Barca. The former midfielder naturally watched the team every week when working in Qatar, and a huge mental dossier of where and how every player could improve. That Barcelona did it in the Bernabeu was all the more impressive, the stadium stunned into almost total silence as early as the 38th minute. From another pulsating attack, Aubeyang suddenly opened up Thibaut Courtois’ box with a deft flick, and there was Ferran Torres to smash the ball into the roof of the net. It was that much of a statement. From early on in this game at a renovated Bernabeu, it had the feel of a landmark match. Training has been moved forward and is so sharp, a long way from the days when the clique of players around Lionel Messi basically dictated the nature of sessions. That may feel hasty, and there will no doubt be discussion over the level of this squad compared to Europe’s true elite right now, but what was so impressive about it was the nature of the performance. It will always have the stain of this 4-0.

Report as league leaders Real Madrid are dominated by Barcelona at the Bernabeu; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores twice and grabs an assist in spectacular ...

We are very sorry, but we have to keep working, move forward and to prepare our game over the next couple of weeks. I asked the players, I told them it was a game to have a lot of personality, to be bold, not to lose the ball. We have no doubt that Barca should compete playing the way we have played tonight." "It's very difficult to win 4-0 at the Bernabeu playing so well, and I'm very happy for the players, because some of them were going through difficult times in their careers. "They have personalities, they are bold, and this is the way forward. I have not made a good strategy in trying to defeat Barca. Barca have played better than we have played and they deserved the victory. We have recovered many balls from the opposition. We have been in control with [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang. As far as the game, we had understood that [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos were out, and we looked for the backs of the interior players of Real Madrid. We have shown a lot of personality. That's the first thing I want to say. The one-way traffic towards Courtois' goal continued and Aubameyang grabbed his second on 51 minutes.

Report as league leaders Real Madrid are dominated by Barcelona at the Bernabeu; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores twice and grabs an assist in spectacular ...

We are very sorry, but we have to keep working, move forward and to prepare our game over the next couple of weeks. I asked the players, I told them it was a game to have a lot of personality, to be bold, not to lose the ball. We have no doubt that Barca should compete playing the way we have played tonight." "They have personalities, they are bold, and this is the way forward. "It's very difficult to win 4-0 at the Bernabeu playing so well, and I'm very happy for the players, because some of them were going through difficult times in their careers. As far as the game, we had understood that [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos were out, and we looked for the backs of the interior players of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid host Barcelona this evening in a La Liga El Clasico. An impressive 15 points separate the two sides with the home side having lost just two ...

In the US, it kicks off at 3pm ET and 12pm PT. In the United States, it will be broadcast on ESPN+. Real Madrid vs Barcelona will be shown on Premier Sports 1 in the United Kingdom.

Follow all the action from the La Liga showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu as Madrid look to tighten their grip on the title.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Barcelona on TV and online, from anywhere in the world – including a free live stream.

You can use a VPN to watch ESPN+ from abroad as if you were back at home in the States. Those in Australia can tune into the Real Madrid vs Barcelona live stream on Fox Sports for free with the Kayo Sports 14-day free trial. For Real Madrid vs Barcelona, you may wish to choose 'Australia' to access Kayo Sport. Make sure you know how to watch a Real Madrid vs Barcelona live stream from anywhere in the world. You can use a VPN to watch Kayo from abroad as if you were back at home in Australia. Home also to Italy's Coppa Italia, Premier Sports is available to Sky TV customers for £11.99 per month, or a £99 annual charge. You can use it to watch on your mobile, tablet, laptop, TV, games console and more. The company offers a handy streaming option. Even if you have subscribed to the relevant El Clasico rights holders, you won't be able to access them when outside your own country. Try it out with the link below and get three months free. Just make sure to use a VPN if you're an Australian abroad. The Frenchman is replaced in Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI by Luka Modric, who returns from injury, in what looks like a 4-4-2 diamond system as Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde and Casemiro keep their midfield places.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Barcelona go into Sunday's Clasico knowing that if they win they may only be delaying the inevitable crowning of Real Madrid as ...

He looked to have one foot out of the door several months back but Xavi has always insisted in his importance and that faith is being repaid. Busquets passed the 800 games landmark in midweek and Mendieta added: 'In terms of replacing him, I think it is going to be difficult. 'They have the quality and the character to do it.' Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on fire and Xavi's young guns are among the most exciting in Europe 'I don't really remember doing it; I'll have to watch it again,' he said of the strike that saw him leave two Galatasaray defenders on the deck before scoring. And with 311 goals he continues to close-in on Raul (323) for second place in Madrid's all-time scoring list.

Barcelona took control early on and Ronald Araújo and Ferran Torres were the other scorers as they beat Real Madrid 4-0 in the Spanish capital.

But for him and a series of misses, this could have been six or seven – a fact they lamented on the Barcelona bench. It might also have arrived when Courtois pushed away from Torres, Dembélé somehow shot wide from six yards and Memphis Depay was denied by the keeper. This was quite something to see, and a manita – a little hand, one goal for each finger – might have followed fast, as might a hat-trick when Aubameyang somehow steered Jordi Alba’s pass wide from close range. The contest, insofar as there was one, was over before the hour. If Xavi had fondly recalled clásicos where Barcelona “played good football and won, where we felt superior to them”, this was the same, suggesting a seismic shift for his club. “I have good memories of the Bernabéu,” Xavi Hernández had said and here was another one for the collection.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang makes his El Clasico bow in tonight's clash with Real Madrid after an impressive start to life with Barcelona.

“When you are happy, you have excitement for everything, to score goals, to help the team and to kill.” I am working a lot and I think that the most important thing is that I am happy,” the Gabon striker said this week. Dani Alves sat out Thursday night’s victory over Galatasaray in the Europa League and again missed out on the starting lineup, but Ousmane Dembele is trusted from the off.

Some fancied taking on the Camp Nou giants but after taking apart Real Madrid 4-0 most were glad to have given Barca a wide berth.

FC BarcelonaRangers fans share same Barcelona sigh of relief as Europa League draw is revisited after El Clasico thumpingSome fancied taking on the Camp Nou giants but after taking apart Real Madrid 4-0 most were glad to have given Barca a wide berth. And that left some Rangers supporters thankful they avoided Barcelona, who were paired with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League and will play the winners of West Ham vs Lyon if they get through that. Some were bullish about the prospect of facing them in Spain with one replying to an ecstatic Barca fan: "Better enjoy it now because when Rangers play Barca in the Europa League Final they'll be getting this done to them." Some are dreaming of taking them on in the Seville final, with Braga the Gers' opposition and RB Leipzig or Atalanta lying in wait after that. Something went wrong, please try again later.Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me Rangers fans were left breathing a sigh of relief that they managed to avoid Barcelona in the recent Europa League draw as they watched the Catalonians dismantle their great rivals Real Madrid 4-0. Following Lionel Messi's departure to PSG they struggled but now under the management of club legend Xavi Hernandez, and with the assistance of some astute signings such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, they have turned into a different beast.

Sunday proved a bad day to be top of the table in Spain and France as Barcelona hammered rivals Real Madrid 4-0 and Paris St Germain lost 3-0 at Monaco.

“It’s unacceptable to start the match like that,” Pochettino said at the post-match press conference. Abraham needed less than a minute to open the scoring and then doubled the advantage, scoring his 23rd of the season in the 22nd minute before Lorenzo Pellegrini scored the pick of the goals with a curling free-kick. Tammy Abraham scored twice as Roma cruised to a 3-0 win over city rivals Lazio to move above them and into fifth place. Ruben Sobrino struck in the 90th minute to give Cadiz a 1-0 win over Villarreal, while Raul de Thomas scored late in the first half as Espanyol edged out Real Mallorca by the same scoreline. Sevilla could not take full advantage of Madrid’s defeat as they were held to a goalless draw by Real Sociedad – a third straight draw for the second-placed side and seventh in their last nine. Sunday proved a bad day to be top of the table in Spain and France as Barcelona hammered rivals Real Madrid 4-0 and Paris St Germain lost 3-0 at Monaco.

Spanish La Liga match R Madrid vs Barcelona 20.03.2022. Preview and stats followed by live commentary, video highlights and match report.

Barcelona have a motto in 'Mes Que Un Club' that means far more than just the words "more than a club"

FC Barcelona was a place to go to talk about this kind of thing without a fear of punishment. And the Catalan people are a nation within a nation – and that’s not always been well-respected in Spain. A lot of our liberties we have now, we didn’t have in the past. "Barcelona has been very close to the Catalan people through the good and the bad times, especially in the last century.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Xavi's Barcelona silenced the Santiago Bernabeu with a stunning four goal demolition of Real Madrid in the coach's first league ...

Barcelona had to wait to celebrate because the flag was up but they all poured off the visitors bench when the goal was given with substitute Gavi on the pitch in his orange bib jumping up and down with team-mates. And substitute Memphis Depay had a shot saved by Courtois who had been Madrid’s best player in the drubbing. In fact when Barcelona opened the scoring on 29 minutes it was a goal from the old Borussia Dortmund playbook. Araujo had been picked at right back ahead of Dani Alves with Xavi believing he was better equipped to deal with Vinicius but he could not stop the winger creating most of Madrid’s early threat. Ferran Torres tormented Madrid too and was in the goals and assists. Many wonder what might have been if only Barcelona had hired Xavi at the start of the season.

Xavi is refusing to rule out a late title run and Gerard Pique proclaimed Barca are back after they hammered Real Madrid 4-0 in Sunday's Clasico.

"You have to run, you have to help the full-backs, you have to press," Xavi said. "This isn't an easy place to come and we have won. Midfielder Sergio Busquets added: "If we have just a small chance to make a run for the title, we will fight until the end. This is the way we want to play. "This is the path to follow. "Maybe we're a bit late, but this is a very big win for us.

Spanish football expert Alvaro Montero told Sky Sports: "Gerard Pique took to Twitter last night and wrote in English, 'we are back' and it seems that ...

We are very sorry, but we have to keep working, move forward and to prepare our game over the next couple of weeks. We have no doubt that Barca should compete playing the way we have played tonight." I asked the players, I told them it was a game to have a lot of personality, to be bold, not to lose the ball. "They have personalities, they are bold, and this is the way forward. "It's very difficult to win 4-0 at the Bernabeu playing so well, and I'm very happy for the players, because some of them were going through difficult times in their careers. He said: "We will have to talk about the tactics internally. We have recovered many balls from the opposition. We weren't compact and weren't able to keep the goals out. This badge demands that you fight and in the second half we did not. The last player to have such an impact was Edgar Davids. He's scored seven goals in seven games in La Liga and was also important against Galatasaray and Napoli. They have had two difficult years with Lionel Messi wanting to leave and then eventually leaving, and then the lack of titles. "Gerard Pique took to Twitter last night and wrote in English, 'we are back' and it seems that Barcelona are.

Four goals, stylish football, and Real Madrid left looking very silly on their own patch. If Barcelona aren't back yet, they're on the way.

"Football term" is a beautiful euphemism for "rude word", and we salute Lampard for bringing it to the world. So we just have to work on that, as frustrating as it is for me and for the 4,000 fans who travelled down." When the ball arrived in the final third, so did Xavi. His job was to receive in small patches of grass and play team-mates into bigger ones. One solid answer to the question "Do you have the football terms?" We thought long and hard, but in the end, the solution was obvious. This was a team with a plan and a purpose; this was a team committed to that plan and purpose; this was a plan that generated constant threat and chances that were turned into goals, a couple of them very pleasant to look at indeed. If you haven’t got the confidence to play, you can flip it and say: ‘Have you got the b******* to play?’ Apologies, but that’s the football term." All of which needs to be weighted against the fact that this game was of little bearing to much beyond Barcelona's project of renewal and bid for the Champions League. Madrid are still 12 points ahead in the table, with a Champions League campaign to worry about. "I don’t have a magic wand to get inside people’s heads and change the resilience across a whole squad. There is much to admire about Xavi's early work at Barcelona, but it's the uptick in form of Dembele, along with Frenkie De Jong and the refreshed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, that are perhaps the most heartening. Contrast Madrid's passel of expensive exiles with the reborn Ousmane Dembele, who stayed under a cloud and is now dancing in the shade. As if Barca were a tired parent letting a toddler clout them in the legs for a bit.