Real Madrid are back to the top of the league following a Jude Bellingham brace firing them to a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico. Ilkay Gundogan scored his first Barcelona goal, taking advantage of a poor defensive effort by David Alaba in the sixth minute, but Barcelona struck the post twice, failing to extend their lead and giving Real Madrid the opening that they needed. No one in soccer around the globe is taking those openings like Bellingham right now, and his goal in the 68th minute sparked belief that Real Madrid could win this before his winner in stoppage time showed yet again that Los Blancos are never out of the game.
While Barcelona are struggling with injuries, the fact that they weren't able to turn in the finishing touch to put Real Madrid away is what could cost Xavi the chance to defend his La Liga trophy. Finding a balance between attack and defense will be critical for Barcelona or they'll continue to chase Real Madrid who show time and time again that if given an opening, they'll take it.
Here are a few takeaways from the match
While Bellingham's goal may have been the biggest spark for Real Madrid's eventual push for a winner, another change that Carlo Ancelloti made also shouldn't be missed. The introduction of Eduardo Camavinga after the half to replace Ferland Mendy at left back was extremely important. Mendy was struggling to build in possession and stick with Barcelona's attack so that shift made Real Madrid much stronger going forward. Camavinga didn't misplace a pass during his time on the pitch also creating two chances and completing both of his attempted dribbles.
It took a bit for Camavinga, who is a midfielder by trade to adjust to his role as a left back, where he's been used frequently for club and country over the last year, but at the moment he seems like the better option going forward than Mendy. Due to his skill in possession, Camavinga is able to help Los Blancos defend by keeping hold of the ball while also covering for Vinicius Junior.
In a match where Luka Modric made his 500th Real Madrid appearance, it was only fitting that he shared the pitch with five players who are 20 or younger. Bellingham, Camavinga, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal are all the present and the future of this rivalry and are getting minutes at important times. On the Barcelona side, one of the reasons why they lost was that some more experienced players like Robert Lewandowski weren't out there from the start to help give the team the finishing touch that they needed, but in Bellingham, Real Madrid has the rare mix of a young player who already has plenty of top flight and big game experience with no worries about taking the game into their hands when needed.
If Barcelona's youth can develop that, this rivalry has the potential to become as compelling as it's ever been, a back and fourth over the next few years as some of the best young players in the world face off for the highest stakes.
It's early in the season and this is only Barcelona's first loss of the season, but not only are they now four points off the pace of Real Madrid and Girona on 28 points, but Atletico Madrid are only two points behind Barcelona with two games in hand. On one hand, it means that the race for the La Liga title will be a fun one, but for Xavi to take a step forward as a manager, he has to consistently win trophies, that's the job at Spain's super clubs. But Barcelona could be as low as fourth in the league by Monday.
With the spending that Barcelona continues to do, that's unacceptable, even taking injuries into consideration. Barcelona only have two wins in their last five matches and any dropped points from here on out could cost them the league.
A second half brace from Jude Bellingham helped wipe out Ilkay Gundogan's first Barcelona goal and what was a poor first half from Los Blancos. Scoring his 13th La Liga goal in only 13 appearances, no one could've seen the 20 year old Englishman pulling this off in his first El Clasico to send Real Madrid back to the top of La Liga above Girona.
It took a deflection and basically came off his knee but Dani Carvajal's cross found the leg of Bellingham to beat ter Stegen for the goal. Barcelona thought they had it in the bag but Bellingham's first Clasico will see him enter the history books with 13 goals in 13 games.
But he wasn't able to take it. While Real Madrid has been better in the second half of play, defensively, Barcelona has been allowed to have too many chances. If this stays level, the real winner of the match is Girona.
There's nothing he can't do as despite Real Madrid being off the pace, they're now level in the tie and pushing for more. Things have picked up since Camavinga entered.
This is something that Real Madrid won't want to see as even without Lewandowski being 100% fit, he brings a dangerous presence to the match. Los Blancos will counter with Luka Modric entering for his 500th Real Madrid appearance.
They hit the post before Araujo forced Kepa into an excellent save. With that, Ancelotti has seen enough with Camavinga entering for Mendy for the final 40 mintues of play.
While the second half is underway, Carlo Ancelotti has the subs warming up in case they may be needed sooner than expected if Real Madrid can't turn this around.
It's a tackle from a different sort of football as Torres grapples with Vini Jr to stop a dangerous Real Madrid attack. That's the final play before the half but Barcelona are lucky to still have 11 on the pitch.
It's a weird scene as after Vini Jr. goes down, Barcelona's manager doesn't believe that it was a strong challenge and lets his thoughts be known. Considering that the Clasico is a match that includes hard fouls, he will need to be careful not to be carded.
The early goal may have unsettled Real Madrid but they're back to looking to create chances on the counter. It hasn't troubled Barcelona yet but there is enough individual brilliance that all Los Blancos need is an inch. It also does look like Cancelo is playing in midfield which gives Barcelona more outlets when Real Madrid turns over the ball.
It's a defensive breakdown for Real Madrid and the ball falls to the feet of Ilkay Gundogan. It's his first goal for the club since his move from Manchester City but it's a goal that looks just like ones that he has scored many times for Manchester City by constantly being in the right place at the right time.
And immediately Bellingham forces Barcelona into a tight defensive position. A scrappy start in the early going but one that Barcelona will be okay with.
As close to full health as they can be, how far Real Madrid can go will be on the Brazillian duo in attack supported by Bellingham. The early returns are that that can take Los Blancos quite far.
Starters: Arrizabalaga, Mendy, Alaba, Rudiger, Carvajal, Tchouameni, Kroos, Bellingham, Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo
Joao Cancelo may be featuring as a winger as Xavi looks to spark the attack by adding Martinez to the mix at center back. If things don't work, he can sub on Lewandowski and Raphinha at the half so it is a low risk move all things considered.
Starters: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Christensen, Martinez, Balde, Gundogan, Gavi, Lopez, Cancelo, Torres, Felix
Jules Kounde is only fit enough for the bench while Sergi Roberto and Pedri are out. Joao Felix picked up a knock and Raphinha is fighting to be fit. Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski are also questionable but should be fit enough to be in the squad. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal could start over Ferran Torres depending on whether or not Lewandowski is good to go from the off.
Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are out long term while Dani Ceballos is also missing and Arda Guler is some way off full fitness. Eduardo Camavinga should go to left-back while Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde should make up the midfield. Joselu is expected to be in the squad while Bellingham will be available despite a knock and should take his place behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
It's Clasico time and both teams are looking up at the table at Girona who played on Friday. Despite not losing a game this season, Barcelona still trails Real Madrid in the table by one point making this a critical match to close the gap between them. Boosted by the return of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, Xavi will have plenty of options from the bench but will need to hope that the defense can hold against Jude Bellingham.
