Real Madrid 2 3 Barcelona: El Clasico Showdown For The Ages

The 2017 El Clasico was one of the most dramatic showstopping encounters of the decade. It took place at the Santiago Bernabeu on 23rd December at 20:00 local time. With 84,000 fans packed into the home stadium, Real Madrid and Barcelona battled for three points. In the end, Barcelona left the field with the win despite falling behind early in the game.

The two teams involved are not just football rivals but are the two most dominant clubs in Spanish history and have a rich history in El Clasico. With over 250 wins combined and having won more than 100 titles, this match-up continues to fuel an intense rivalry for years to come.

The Rivalry: El Clasico's Rich History

El Clasico, one of the most intense rivalries in football, spans over a century. The first game between Real Madrid and Barcelona dates back to 1929 at the Camp de Les Corts. Since then, the series has seen countless triumphs, controversies, and even the occasional player being sent off. As the clubs continually vie for success both domestically and internationally, there are no indications of El Clasico losing steam anytime soon.

Early El Clasico Encounters:

• The inaugural Clasico was played with a 2-0 win for Real Madrid, but Barcelona would take their revenge the very next season in a thrilling 4-0 display.
• The rivalry was fueled further by Spanish politics, in the 1930s. This added an extra layer of depth that was seen in the football field. This intense rivalry between the two biggest clubs in Spain became even more heated.
• From 1953 to 1970, both Real Madrid and Barcelona experienced periods of success as well as times when the club failed to reach expectations.
• El Clasico would experience its most dramatic era in the early 2000s with the emergence of some of the all time greats including, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho.

The Build-Up To The Game

In the 2017 Clasico, Barcelona looked poised to pull ahead with their 4-0 away win in the previous meeting against Espanyol and in the process moving to the top spot of the La Liga standings. Barcelona's momentum, coupled with key injury concerns surrounding Real Madrid defenders Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal, created an atmosphere of high expectations for Barcelona.

However, Real Madrid had a few players returning to form. With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both back in action and with Isco also making a timely cameo appearance, the Real Madrid squad regained balance and looked more balanced in their attacking prowess.

Barcelona Team Analysis:

• With the absence of key defender Samuel Umtiti due to injury, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique turned to the services of the in-form Nelson Semedo for defense.
• Juan Carlos and Gerard Pique formed a defensive duo at the heart of the Barcelona line.
• Upfront, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, and Andres Iniesta formed a formidable attacking trio that posed a significant threat to their Real Madrid counterparts.

Real Madrid Team Analysis:

• Coach Zinedine Zidane opted for Isco on the right of a front three with a mix of pace and attacking prowess.
• The attacking trio was led by Karim Benzema, who found himself paired with Marco Asensio in the starting lineup for his usual attacking duties.
• As for midfield, Kroos and Modric continued their excellent recent run of form, providing Real Madrid's attacking flair and defensive solidity.

The Game Itself

On a chilly winter evening at the Bernabeu, the electric atmosphere provided the perfect stage for an enthralling match of cat and mouse tactics. The game began with Barcelona dominating possession, but Real Madrid held firm at the back, denying them any clear-cut opportunities. This defensive solidity paid off in the 26th minute when Real Madrid's Toni Kroos delivered a 40-yard shot to find Karim Benzema who calmly slotted the ball home. However, the lead would last only 17 minutes, with a Barcelona comeback inspired by an Andres Iniesta free kick that Lionel Messi deflected past Kiko Casilla.

The Stunner Free Kick By Iniesta

Iniesta took on the challenge of delivering Barcelona's set pieces for the match. After his initial attempt was met with disappointment, he would be tasked with delivering a set piece that would change the complexion of the match. He found himself awarded with a free kick from a promising position, right on the edge of the 16-yard box. With precision and pace, Iniesta curled the ball over the wall, catching Casilla off guard. It was an astonishing display of skill.

However, the lead did not last long for Barcelona, as the momentum continued to shift back in Real Madrid's favor after Iniesta's free kick. Real's Luka Modric had a shot rebounded from the Barcelona bar and then the match would turn into a dramatic turn around.

The Turning Point: The Goal That Put Madrid in Front

Sergio Ramos delivered what has become a hallmark for the Real Madrid defense, by scoring an unstoppable header past a helpless Marc Andre ter Stegen. However this would also prove to be the game-winning goal in an action-packed conclusion to the match.

The Aftermath and Conclusion

As the final whistle sounded at the 94:44 marks, Barcelona was left stunned while Real Madrid would go on to gain their third win of the 2017 Copa del Rey and La Liga matches. The result marked a significant turning point in the rivalry with a total of 6 La Liga titles separating both teams. It became an intense 5-5 aggregate score at El Clasico, in terms of matches played, with a total of 5 draws occurring since 2015, adding even more significance to the result of this particular game.

After what would be a memorable victory at the Bernabeu, the 2017 El Clasico reinforced the reputation it has garnered over time as one of the world's most captivating and intense derbies, not limited to its influence on football alone but extending into the global football landscape.