Real Madrid finally made their Decima dream a reality in May, but for some Blancos fans there was still something missing from last season. A pair of defeats to Barcelona never goes down well, and a score needing settling on Saturday.
Their 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu gave them the same bragging rights over their hated rivals that they have over the rest of Europe, and also delivered a timely reminder as to why they should still be considered the best the continent has to offer.
In many ways it was a match which mirrored their season so far. They started poorly but once the Blancos clicked into gear they were simply unstoppable.
Madrid may have scored 35 goals in their last eight fixtures leading up to the first Clasico of the campaign, but they were even better against Barcelona than they have been at any stage in the past six weeks.
Barca got off to a great start, with Luis Suarez’s cross-field pass leading Neymar to cut inside two defenders and fire beyond Iker Casillas, but there were quickly signs that Madrid would have plenty to say about the destination of the three points.
Unusually, it was Carlo Ancelotti’s side dominating possession for long periods during the first half and, while they were denied by the woodwork and Claudio Bravo in equal measure, they eventually drew level from the penalty spot.
Gerard Pique made the ridiculous decision to block a low cross from the left with his arm as he slid in, and Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home from 12 yards.
Shortly after half-time Barcelona, not for the first time, allowed Madrid to get a free header in from a set piece and the unmarked Pepe made no mistake with a thunderous effort.
A magnificent counter-attack later and they were 3-1 up, Karim Benzema firing across Bravo and off the inside of the post after Ronaldo rescued Isco’s short pass and found James Rodriguez, who laid on the marauding French striker with a killer ball.
It was a performance which deserved the two-goal advantage and also warranted greater recognition than a couple of goals from set-pieces. The display had earned such a fantastic strike.
Madrid completely nullified the Catalans. Lionel Messi came speeding out of the blocks, even picking up the game’s first yellow card, but by the second half had disappeared as a serious threat. The usually metronomic midfield was quickly bypassed, while a previously impregnable defence had been made to look like a colander.
Madrid scored three and could easily have had at least four more. Barca also had chances, but they spent the majority of the second half on the back foot.
Luis Enrique will probably wonder whether he got some things wrong in his team selection, but there’s a high likelihood that he’d have come away without the three points regardless of his starting XI.
Casillas made big saves at key moments, Dani Carvajal was magnificent throughout, Isco filled in for Gareth Bale with an excellent performance, James was lively from minute one, while Benzema and Ronaldo did what they do best by pulling defenders all over the place.
This was more than a performance. It was a statement.
So often in recent years, Barcelona have claimed the upper hand in Clasico encounters. But Madrid came into this one as champions of Europe, and spent 90 minutes showing exactly why.
The Champions League holders are now Clasico kings too.
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