Barca surge as Madrid shrink

Barcelona should be pleased with their barnstorming start to the season – three games have yielded three victories, as well as six goals scored and none conceded. La Blaugrana’s game against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday did though prove to be a tough examination.

Los Leones shut down the hosts for most of the game. The visitors held firm, with keeper Gorka Iraizoz making a host of good saves, serving to frustrate the crowd – including Luis Suarez, who watched from the stands.

Under then-Coach Tata Martino last season Barca would likely have dropped points when faced against spirited opposition such as Athletic. But new boss Luis Enrique has done what Martino failed to do – react effectively to opponents frustrating his original tactics.

Enrique did not hesitate to make changes where necessary, as Neymar replaced Munir El Haddadi, who worked hard but was unable to break the deadlock. The substitution would prove key as Neymar scored twice in six minutes, on both occasions through the creative genius that is Lionel Messi.

The opener, with just 11 minutes of the game to go, came through Messi’s glorious defence-splitting pass, which Neymar calmly converted. The second came six minutes later after Messi slalomed past several Athletic defenders before setting up the Brazilian to seal the win.

These three League victories that put Barcelona top of La Liga symbolize how Enrique differs from Martino. He has entrenched the essence and philosophy of Barcelona into his players, which he learned as a Barca player in the 1990s, in a way Martino did not.

Enrique has re-introduced an intense pressing game high up the pitch, which puts emphasis on working hard to retrieve possession back, just as Pep Guardiola did when at Barcelona. Importantly, Enrique trusts and utilizes his youth players from La Masia more frequently than Martino did last season.

Doing so has worked wonders for Barcelona so far this season. It showed in their season opener against Elche, where Munir’s stellar performance soon earned him a call up to Spain’s national team and an international debut. Against Villarreal with the scores goalless Enrique again showed his willingness to make positive changes when needed by bringing on 19-year-old striker Sandro Ramirez.

The youngster went on to score the only goal of the game, which justified Enrique’s trust in the cantera graduates to come good for him when needed. However, although harder tests await Barca later this season, things at the moment are going swimmingly. And all without the still-banned Suarez.

As for Real Madrid, alarm bells are ringing after losing 2-1 at home to city rivals Atletico Madrid. Los Merengues showed their defensive frailties, especially at crosses and set pieces, when Tiago Mendes scored the opener from a corner. But, although Cristiano Ronaldo equalized from the spot shortly afterwards, Real Madrid’s star-studded attack could not beat Miguel Angel Moya, who at times was inspired.

Los Colchoneros’ winner highlighted Real Madrid’s defensive woes, as too much space was given to Raul Garcia and Arda Turan to combine at the edge of the box for Turan’s winner, which curled away from Iker Casillas’ despairing dive. It was a poor night for Casillas who was booed by a section of fans on the 15th anniversary of the made his debut for the club.

On the other hand, Atletico must be praised, as they showed determination when under the cosh. German Burgos, standing in on behalf of the suspended Diego Simeone, got it spot on with his substitutions. Antoine Griezmann and Turan added creativity but also made an impact on the game with Turan’s winner. Victory means Atletico have won back-to-back away Madrid derbies for the first time in their history and are now unbeaten in eight Madrid derbies in La Liga. 

However, as for Carlo Ancelotti, defeat to Atleti will serve to increase the pressure on him. By suffering back-to-back league defeats Madrid have fallen further behind Barcelona. Defeat against the Catalans on October 25, or dropped points in the games prior to El Clasico, would mean the odds on President Florentino Perez making a change.

Little more than three months ago Ancelotti was lifting La Decima. It is amazing how the atmosphere can change in a club in such a quick time, but at Real Madrid, nothing is impossible.

La Liga - Club News