SPAIN: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as a revitalized Barcelona delivered a football masterclass to humiliate rivals Real Madrid 4-0 on Sunday, thrashing Carlo Ancelotti’s LaLiga leaders on their turf. A sold-out Santiago Bernabeu stadium sat silently as a much-improved Barcelona under new coach Xavi Hernandez dominated ‘El Clasico.’
With Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres exposing Real Madrid’s defensive frailties on the flanks, Barcelona scored in the 29th minute on an Aubameyang header from a Dembele cross. Barcelona had several chances to extend their lead, but Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved them all. With Real Madrid comfortably atop the standings with 66 points, Sunday’s Clasico would never decide LaLiga’s title race.
However, pride was at stake, and Xavi’s improved Barcelona demonstrated that their recent return to form was genuine. After their fifth consecutive league victory, Barcelona is third in the table with 54 points and a game in hand, three points behind second-placed Sevilla. After dropping to ninth place on the table after Ronald Koeman’s dismissal in October, Barcelona has been revitalized under Xavi.
They have gone unbeaten in the Copa del Rey since losing extra time to Athletic Bilbao on January 20 and have scored 24 goals in their last seven league games. “We were not expecting this outcome, but our goal was met. We came to win and prove our worth, Sergio Busquets of Barcelona told reporters. “If we still have a chance to win the championship, we will fight until the bitter end. It isn’t easy, but anything can happen in football, Our name is Barcelona.”
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