Sergi Roberto red card turns El Clasico tactical battle on its head as Barcelona and Real Madrid draw 2-2

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  • Real Madrid were unable to make their numerical advantage count against Barcelona as El Clasico ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.

    Luis Suarez opened the scoring before Cristiano Ronaldo restored parity in the first half. Just before the break though, Sergi Roberto was sent off for an altercation with Marcelo.

    Lionel Messi then gave the La Liga campions the lead before Gareth Bale equalised in style, with an enthralling tactical battle between Ernesto Valverde and Zinedine Zidane finishing all square.

    STATS

    Barcelona

    Goals – 2

    Shots – 10

    Possession – 51%

    Tackles – 13

    Dribbles – 11

    Real Madrid

    Goals – 2

    Shots – 16

    Possession – 49%

    Tackles – 20

    Dribbles – 6

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Valverde

    The Spaniard deployed his favoured 4-4-2 formation with Andres Iniesta and Philippe Coutinho tucking in from the flanks as they looked to take control of midfield. However, the more possession they had, the more vulnerable they were to the counter as their full-backs pushed high up the field.

    After Roberto’s sending off, Madrid were the ones getting caught up field and Messi had plenty of space to run into on the break.

    Zidane

    The Madrid boss set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation initially with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo all starting. That would morph into a 4-4-2 without the ball though as they countered the Catalans well.

    However, in the second half, with Barcelona reduced to 10 men, the visitors reverted to the more conventional 4-3-3 system. Meanwhile, Ronaldo picked up a knock early on and was taken off at half-time with Asensio replacing him.

    Sergi Roberto's red card changed the complexion of the game.

    Sergi Roberto’s red card changed the complexion of the game.

    TACTICAL TALKING POINTS

    Valverde

    TEN-MAN GAME

    Believe it or not, Barcelona were perhaps better in attack after being reduced to 10 men – in an El Clasico no less. Operating in a 4-3-2 formation, it forced them to play on the break and go from back to front a lot quicker.

    That served to expose a Madrid defence that’s been suspect all season. While Valverde inadvertently stumbled upon the strategy, he did replace Andres Iniesta with the more energetic Paulinho to aid it.

    Zidane

    BALE’S DOUBLE ROLE

    Bale was integral to Zidane’s strategy. In the first half, he joined Ronaldo and Benzema up front but without possession, the Welshman noticeably dropped into midfield to make up a 4-4-2. The switch helped keep tabs on the dangerous Jordi Alba as Barca use their full-backs to provide width.

    It also meant it created a two v two scenario between Madrid’s other forwards and Barcelona’s centre-backs in the transition, with Benzema usually showing for the ball and Ronaldo running in behind.

    Double agent: Gareth Bale (l)

    Double agent: Gareth Bale (l).

    VERDICT

    Valverde

    His initial set up was rather predictable but he adjusted well after the red card and was even able to encourage his side’s heroic attacking efforts in the second half.

    Rating – 6/10

    Zidane

    Devised a clever ploy to deal with and counter Barcelona but despite the man advantage later on, his side failed to take control of the game and instead were more exposed.

    Rating – 6/10

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