Actual Madrid acquired a “slap within the face” in its quest to win the Spanish title after a humiliating defeat at dwelling to Barcelona 4-0 in what the Spanish newspapers described as a “black night time” for the membership.
Xavi’s reforms to Barcelona took one other huge step as they weakened the La Liga leaders on the Bernabeu due to the January signings of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres.
Aubameyang broke the rating when he headed a cross from Ousmane Dembele 29 minutes earlier than Ronald Araujo nodded from a nook kick to double the lead.
Two minutes into the second half, Barcelona hit Actual Madrid on the break, the transfer culminating when Aubameyang’s flick was met with a first-time shot from Torres.
Torres then returned the favor 4 minutes later when Aubameyang’s shot over Thibaut Courtois was awarded the VAR after the offside flag was raised.
Sevilla could not take full benefit of Madrid’s defeat as they misplaced a goalless draw with Actual Sociedad – their third straight draw for the second-placed crew and seventh within the final 9.
However the Spanish newspapers on Monday morning had been dominated by the repercussions of the occasions on the Bernabéu. Model The headline revealed “a painful slap” with Actual Madrid described as “unrecognized” regardless of Thibaut Courtois’ finest efforts.
as Within the lead with “Black Evening”, Xavi’s crew now “imagines” La Liga after “destroying the worst of Madrid”.
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Evaluation: Is Barcelona again?
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Spanish soccer knowledgeable Alvaro Montero discusses the repercussions of Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Actual Madrid, the influence of Xavi and the repercussions of the Clasico end result on the La Liga title race.
Spanish soccer knowledgeable Alvaro Monteiro informed Sky Sports activities:
Gerard Pique took to Twitter final night time and wrote in English, ‘We’re again’ and it seems like Barcelona is. It was solely honest to ask Xavi if he felt the identical manner and stated we is likely to be, however perhaps not. Sufficient to win La Liga this season. , That they had two troublesome years with Lionel Messi, he wished to depart after which go away ultimately, then the dearth of titles.
“There has by no means been a La Liga title and no Champions League success has been adopted by play within the Europa League. Possibly 4-0 just isn’t sufficient to win a title race as a result of they’re nonetheless 12 factors behind Actual Madrid regardless of having a sport in hand. It seems to be an essential second for the membership.
“Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a significant influence. At Barcelona, it’s uncommon for a participant to have such an influence in the course of the January switch window. The final participant to have had such an influence was Edgar Davids. He scored seven objectives in seven La Liga video games and it was additionally essential towards Galatasaray and Naples.
“Ronaldo Koeman did not have that sort of participant. He needed to depend on Memphis Depay, who has totally different qualities however not Aubameyang’s scoring skill.”
Courtois: We’ve offered an unacceptable picture of this membership
Thibaut Courtois criticized his teammates
Thibaut Courtois criticized his teammates after crushing them.
Los Blancos had been lacking some key gamers together with Karim Benzema, however had extra time to arrange for the match as Barcelona performed away at Galatasaray within the Europa League on Thursday.
After the match, Courtois informed the Spanish channel Movistar, based on a press release sports activities: “At present we offered an unacceptable picture of this membership. There are lacking gamers, however you didn’t discover that they had been those who performed Thursday (in Istanbul).
“They discovered quite a lot of house. We weren’t compressed and could not clear away the objectives. For the primary purpose, they anticipated higher on the entrance publish and we did not transfer to the second both.
“After the break we predict we are able to come again and, 10 seconds later, Ferran Torres one-on-one with me.”
Courtois additionally questioned Ancelotti’s techniques, pointing to the final time Actual performed a false 9 – which was of their 1-0 Copa del Rey exit towards Athletic Bilbao final month.
He stated: “We’ve to speak about techniques internally. It did not work out firstly of the match or the second half, we should always talk about it internally and never right here.
“We performed with false nines within the cup and hardly had any pictures and it was the identical right here. We began effectively, we had an opportunity with Fede Valverde which Marc ter Stegen saved effectively, however from there we fell again.
“We did not discover the Libero enjoying and that makes it troublesome. Then within the second half we won’t begin like that. This badge requires you to battle and within the second half we did not. We may have misplaced much more.”
Xavi: We may have scored extra objectives
Vinicius Junior wrestles with Ousmane Dembele
After his crew Barcelona received their first Clasico in seven makes an attempt – they misplaced their final 5 matches, Xavi Hernandez stated: “We’re very completely satisfied, very glad with all Barcelona followers.
“The that means of this victory, I feel it might change, in a method or one other, the dynamics of the current and the longer term as effectively. That is the very first thing I need to say. So far as the sport is worried, we understood that (Luka) Modric and (Toni) Kroos had been out and on the lookout for an look Actual Madrid gamers.
“(David) Alaba was additionally leaping on Frenkie (de Jong), then Ousmane (Dembele) was one towards one. We confirmed quite a lot of character. I requested the gamers, and I informed them it’s a sport with quite a lot of character, to be daring, to not lose the ball. .
It was Actual’s first defeat at dwelling this season, within the midst of celebrations for his or her a hundred and twentieth anniversary.
Xavi added: “I requested them to not lose any foolish balls, as a result of that is what Actual Madrid benefited from, and we strengthened it with transfers and (Ronald) Araujo defending Vinicius, so the match was in management. We had been in management with (Pierre Emeric) Aubameyang.”
“We understood that we needed to learn between the traces. We took quite a lot of balls from the opponent. We created many possibilities with our attacking strikes. I feel we had been loads higher than Actual Madrid and we may have scored extra objectives.
“It is extremely troublesome to win 4-0 on the Bernabeu, and I’m very pleased with the gamers, as a result of a few of them have had troublesome occasions of their careers. They’ve been criticized and judged, and in the present day they’ve confirmed that they’re nice gamers.
“They’ve personalities, they’re daring, and that’s the manner ahead. As a coach I’m new, and successful 4-0 on the Bernabéu strengthens my league. It reinforces the mission, the thought of the sport and the match mannequin that we need to pursue. We’ve no doubts that Barcelona ought to compete the best way they do.” We performed it tonight.”
Ancelotti takes accountability for the beating
Carlo Ancelotti takes accountability for the loss
Carlo Ancelotti took over after Actual Madrid’s four-game successful streak in La Liga got here to a sure finish.
“My technique wasn’t good. I did not get an excellent end result. I do not know, that is it. I did not make technique attempting to beat Barcelona. Barcelona performed higher than we did and so they deserved to win.
“It isn’t an issue to take accountability, as a result of I did not put together for the sport correctly. Generally you do it proper, typically you do not.
“I failed on this match, however I do not make drama out of it. It is a defeat, sure. We all know how essential it’s to win a sport towards Barcelona, particularly for the followers. We’re so sorry, however now we have to maintain working and shifting ahead and getting ready for our sport for the subsequent two weeks.”
“We’ve to maintain calm and maintain our stability, due to course we’re very deteriorated after this defeat, however now we have to assume that now we have 9 factors (over Sevilla on the high of the standings). We’ve to be calm and calm.”
Busquets: We will the league
Aubameyang gave Barcelona the lead at Actual Madrid
Sergio Busquets stated Barcelona would “win” the La Liga title. With Barcelona now in third place within the league, the membership’s captain claimed that they might nonetheless be in pursuit of their rivals Madrid.
Chatting with Barcelona TV, Busquets stated: “At present I feel every thing went effectively for us, I feel we may have scored many objectives in the present day. Look, we knew if we did issues proper in the present day we’d win. That is what we had been doing with this coach.”
“We may have scored extra objectives. If we had the slightest probability within the league, we might get it, it is troublesome however now we have to be prepared in case the factors are left. First you need to put your self in second place, as a result of Sevilla is there.”
“Within the final Clasico we performed below Xavi, we additionally had management and possession, however they did extra injury to us on the counter-attack and in the present day we managed it very effectively.”
Aubameyang exhibits life after Arsenal
Aubameyang celebrates scoring
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reclaimed his profession since becoming a member of Barcelona from Arsenal.
The Gabon striker has scored 9 objectives in all competitions since switching in January.
Requested if they may push for the title, Aubameyang stated: “We’ll see the place we are able to go from right here after such a giant win. I used to be very excited to return to Barcelona and put in efficiency. It’s totally straightforward once you play with such good gamers.” .”
What then?
Actual Madrid are again in motion after the worldwide break with a visit to Celta Vigo on April 2 (5.30pm) earlier than going through Chelsea within the Champions League quarter-final first leg 4 days later, whereas Barcelona host Sevilla on April 3 (8.30). afternoon).
