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El Clasico: Winners & losers from the 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou

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THE WINNERS

Mr. Injury-time-winner

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Sergio Ramos is someone who causes debate amongst most football fans. One half will tell you his experience and never-say-die attitude is a crucial ingredient to the side. The other will point to his declining performances in the centre of defence meaning those late, late goals are simply him rectifying his earlier mistakes. One thing that isn’t in doubt however is the fact his goals have made a huge difference in the recent history of Real Madrid.

When the clock ticked into the 90th minute and the referee had to interject in order to stop a bit of pushing and shoving in the box, you sensed something was about to happen. The main perpetrator in that incident was Ramos, but he wasn’t done there. The freekick was whipped in and as Javier Mascherano slipped, Ramos was left all alone to power home a thundering header to stun the Camp Nou and send those select few Madrid fans in the stadium delirious.

Lethal Luis always dependable

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You can be the best at building up attacks, creating space for others but if you don’t put the ball in the back of the net often enough, you’ll be criticised. Ask Roberto Soldado about that. Luis Suarez is the polar opposite in that for much of the match he can be found on the peripheries, often only appearing to play a simple two-yard pass to Lionel Messi before running toward the box. He’s essentially a spare part most of the time.

However, he scores goals - a lot of goals in fact. It would be unfair to label Suarez as a player who does nothing but score. He is a menace, bullying defenders on and off the ball. Yet when you’re after a goal there aren’t many players you’d rather the ball fell to than the Uruguayan. Neymar’s delivery was superb but it was Suarez who got ahead of Raphael Varane to nod past Keylor Navas.

A masterclass from Modric

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It only feels like yesterday when Luka Modric was named as the worst signing of the season back in 2012. The little Croatian has come a long way since then and is undoubtably one of the best central midfielders in the world, let alone LaLiga. Perhaps only the mercurial Andres Iniesta can challenge him for that number one role.

Whether in attack or defence, you know Modric is going to appear on your TV screen. He’s blessed with an incredible engine in the centre of the park and can often be found in the right place to block crosses and later kickstart counterattacks. His reading of the game, that sixth sense of where the attacker is going to move the ball, is unbelievable. It’s like when you’re watching a stream and hear the cheers before a goal is scored. Modric is a step ahead of the rest.

There are players in this world who are worth the price of a match day ticket, that’s true. Luka Modric is worth a couple of season tickets at least. Magical.

Honourable mentions: Andres Iniesta - nowhere near fully fit but arguably Barcelona’s best player. His pass into Messi was sensational and should’ve resulted in him picking up an assist. Raphael Varane - the young defender was chosen to partner Ramos ahead of Pepe and made some crucial blocks at the back. We’re finally seeing what all the hype was about with the athletic Frenchman. Solid as a rock.

THE LOSERS

Messi had the game won but let it slip through his fingers

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Now I’m not trying to be controversial with this choice or saying that Messi himself played poorly. He had a reasonably solid game, sitting far too deep in the first half but after the break was much more influential further up the field. When he was on the ball it seemed impossible to dispossess him. The reason Messi is in this section and not the above one is simply because he missed the chance to kill the game off.

The pass into the Argentinian from Iniesta was easily the best of the match but when he worked that extra yard of space the whole world expected the ball to nestle in the back of the net - but it didn’t. Uncharacteristically for Messi he dragged his shot well wide of Navas’ far post and as he looked to the skies for an answer, the whole world was still pondering the question: How did he miss that?

Benzema’s poor form makes the BBC’s future look bleak

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I know the bearded Frenchman is well respected at Real Madrid, perhaps due to his impressive goalscoring record, but he was nothing short of abysmal against Barcelona. You’d think with Alvaro Morata out and Mariano Diaz desperate to be given a chance it’d inspire Benzema to produce the best performance possible. In the end you could’ve been forgiven if you hadn’t realised he was playing.

You have to do more as the main striker in a game of this magnitude. No one is saying it’s easy when you factor in the pressure and the level of the opposition but that’s why you play for Real Madrid and not Real Oviedo (sorry Sid Lowe). Benzema’s hold-up play was non-existent and when he did drive at the Barcelona defence it wasn’t with any purpose. He’s lucky that Morata is injured but if he doesn’t pick up form soon, and with Cristiano Ronaldo looking at a striker role, it might be time for the BBC to go their separate ways.

Another horror show from Gomes won’t help keep the boo-boys quiet

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It just isn’t working for Andre Gomes at Barcelona. You hope to see the man who ran the show at Valencia during his first season appear but, if anything, his performances are getting worse. It’s unfair to expect him to [ever] be at the level of Iniesta although Barcelona fans are well within their rights to expect more from the €35m man. Right now Gomes couldn’t argue if was dropped for Denis Suarez or Rafinha.

And the problem isn’t limited to the footballing side because the issue appears as much mental as anything else. Maybe the poor start is beginning to play on Gomes’ mind. One pass was so strong - and misplaced - that it went out for a goal kick. When he was finally substituted it seemed a relief to both him and the crowd, despite the continued support from his teammates. For an El Clasico debut it doesn’t get much worse than this.

Honourable mentions: Isco - after a solid opening 45 minutes, the young Spaniard completely disappeared after half-time and was duly taken off. Javier Mascherano - seemed to lose his cool at the match wore on and his slip was the reason Ramos got a free header in the 90th minute. The referee - failed to award either side clear penalties early on.