Thank you very much for joining me. Here is the report.
If you want more fine MBMing, feel free to enjoy Rob Smyth on United get thrashed by Liverpool.
There was no way back for Ronald Koeman regardless of the result but this defeat will speed up his departure. Picking Mingueza was an error as he was found out by Real Madrid very quickly. Eric Garcia should have done more to stop both goals, as he continues to decline since his promising start at Manchester City.
Full-time! Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
The game was pretty close but Real Madrid won it with two incisive breaks against a Barcelona side lacking ideas in the final third. Real Madrid had a ruthless edge which Barcelona lacked throughout.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (Aguero, 90+7)
The striker volleys home from close range after fine work from Dest.
Updated
GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid (Vazquez, 90+4)
Pique does well and lays it to Depay who shapes to shoot but pulls it back for someone else to shoot for some reason. Real Madrid clear it down the pitch quickly and Ansensio makes it into the box, fires across Ter Stegen who makes a fine save, only to see Vazquez sweep in to score.
Barcelona think they should have a penalty but VAR disagrees and the goal stands.
Updated
90+2 mins: The sub is subbed as Valverde’s knee succumbs, with Carvajal coming on.
90 mins: Courtois is down holding his right knee after clearing the ball. He has either done some quite serious damage or is wasting time in the most hilarious manner. It does not look like he twisted anything. He is up! It’s a miracle.
Seven minutes added on.
88 mins: Aguero goes down under a challenge from two men in white but the referee does not think it is a foul. The ball reaches Luuk De Jong on the edge of the box but he immediately loses it.
86 mins: Luuk De Jong’s first involvement is to misscontrol the ball out for a goal-kick. Not a great entrance.
Vinicius is down after being told to rest by Ancelotti, with Asensio prepared to enter.
84 mins: Valverde seems to have damaged his knee on landing and it getting a bit of magic spray.
Depay finds space to dig out a cross to the back post for Aguero but it is a little too high and he can only head it over.
Luuk De Jong is on for Gavi, resulting in whistles and jeers from the crowd.
82 mins: Valverde flies into Pique head first and they clash. Both are down and looking unhappy.
80 mins: So much so Mendy goes into the book for taking an age to take a throw-in.
79 mins: Real Madrid are very much looking to slow things down here.
77 mins: Busquets slips a pass into Coutinho inside the area, he does his best to earn some space but Militao reads his movement and tackles the Barcelona man before he can shoot.
Sergi Roberto is on for De Jong.
75 mins: Aguero is looking to harass the Real Madrid centre-backs.
Updated
73 mins: Mendy pings a cross six-yard line for Benzema to attack but he gets in a muddle and sends it wide. I am not sure it would have been a goal as he looked a little offside.
Down the other end, Dest cuts in from the right sends a rising shot just over the bar.
Rodrygo is replaced by Valverde, while Aguero comes on for Ansu Fati.
71 mins: Jordi Alba swings in a cross but it lands straight in Courtois’ arms. All a bit aimless from the defender. I am not sure deep crosses are what Barcelona need.
69 mins: Real Madrid break once more on Barcelona, with Benzema leading the charge but things slow down when he passes to Vinicius, allowing the hosts to recover and stop the danger.
67 mins: The crowd is getting louder which might help encourage the Barcelona players as they certainly need it.
65 mins: Ansu Fati is tripped 20 yards from goal by Vazquez. The free-kick is to the left of the box. Depay lines it up but Jordi Alba takes, only to see Courtois punch clear.
63 mins: Modric lets fly from the edge of the area but Garcia’s testicles are there to block. The attack restarts and the ball is lifted to Benzema inside the box, allowing him to let rip with a volley but it is straight at Ter Stegen.
61 mins: Dest starts with some calamitous defending as he tries to head a long ball back to Ter Stegen but he barely makes contact, allowing Vinicius in. The American recovers to get back just before the forward can get his shot away from six yards and clears the danger.
59 mins: A cross goes into the box and it hits Kroos on the arm. De Jong appeals for a handball, so does Pique, resulting in the centre-back getting booked for his protestations. The referee gives Real Madrid a free-kick in their own area for reasons unknown.
Updated
57 mins: Gavi swings in dangerous cross from the right but there is no one there to get on the end of it. Maybe bringing on Aguero would be a decent idea.
55 mins: Mendy is in the game once more, cutting in from the left to fire a shot on his right foot off balance, which is dealt with by Ter Stegen.
53 mins: Gavi goes down under a challenge from Mendy which leaves the teenager on the deck. The Barcelona players are furious and are calling for a card but it is an innocuous foul and does not merit one.
51 mins: Modric slips the ball to Rodrygo in the box; the Brazilian sends a cross along the ground which almost finds Benzema but he is beaten to it by a Barcelona defender who clears just in time.
49 mins: Ansu Fati has started out on the left, as Barcelona look to target Vazquez. The winger gets the ball into Depay who holds it up for Coutinho, allowing the Brazilian to get a shot way, which is deflected behind. This is a lot more dynamic from Barcelona.
47 mins: Ansu Fati drives to the edge of the box and fires a cross but it goes just behind Coutinho. An early sign of intent from Barcelona.
Second half
Here we go again.
Coutinho is coming on, I assume for Mingueza. Very kind of Koeman to put Mingueza out of his misery.
Dream (clasico) debut.
5 - David Alaba 🇦🇹 is the fifth player to score on his debut for @realmadrid in #ElClásico in all competitions in the 21st century, after Ronaldo Nazário 🇧🇷 in 2003, Ruud van Nistelrooy 🇳🇱 in 2006, Raphaël Varane 🇫🇷 and Jesé Rodríguez 🇪🇸 in 2013. Missile. pic.twitter.com/cDa0O7ojht
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 24, 2021
Here is the goal.
What a way for David Alaba to announce himself in #ElClasico! 😱😱
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) October 24, 2021
Real Madrid take the lead at Camp Nou ⚪ pic.twitter.com/swLZ3pjcQ1
The referee calls Ancelotti over for a chat after the whistle goes. Maybe he wants to get him to take it easy on poor old Mingueza.
Half-time: Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid
It’s been a pretty even game but Real Madrid have made the most of Barcelona starting Mingueza at right-back, targeting the fact he is out of his depth and it has brought the goal.
45 mins: One minute added on.
44 mins: Jordi Alba gets to the byline and pulls it back to Ansu Fati, he gets it onto his right boot but his shot is blocked by Alaba when heading for the back of the net.
42 mins: Jordi Alba wins a corner off Vazquez. Barcelona then get a second corner but the danger comes to an end when Courtois comes to claim the cross.
Down the other end, Vazquez tries to find Benzema in the box but he goes down under pressure from Garcia, though it is not a penalty. The ball lands at Mingueza’s feet but he looks very hesitant on the ball and only just about clears it.
40 mins: Everything is coming down the Barcelona right as they target poor Mingueza who is struggling in this game. I suspect he might be taken off at half-time before following a similar career path to Marc Muniesa.
38 mins: Barcelona have played pretty well but Real Madrid look the more pragmatic side, looking to make the most of the weaknesses in the Barca defence, while the hosts are trying to play to their own strengths even if that does not work.
Real Madrid break on Barcelona once again, ending with Benzema picking out Kross at the back post from where the German whacks at volley straight at Jordi Alba.
36 mins: The subsequent corner from Depay finds a leaping Pique but he flicks it wide from six yards out.
Updated
34 mins: Rodrygo with a very cynical block on Jordi Alba on the left flank. The free-kick is headed over his own crossbar by Vazquez.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid (Alaba, 32)
Real Madrid counter down the left. It starts with Alaba dispossessing Depay, then Vinicius beating Mingueza deep in his own half, he lays it to Rodrygo upfield and then picks out centre-back Alaba who whacks a shot across Ter Stegen into the top corner.
Updated
30 mins: Real Madrid have had more possession which seems a little surprising. It all pretty even out on the pitch, I would say.
28 mins: Ansu Fati is the latest man to be fouled by Vazquez, as the Real Madrid just kicks him in the calf. Barcelona are looking sharper now. Depay swings in the resulting free-kick but Courtois easily comes to claim.
26 mins: The best chance of the match so far, as Depay does great work down the left, driving past Militao and into the area, he pulls it back to Dest waiting 10 yards out in the middle of goal but he whacks it well over the bar despite being in an acre of space. Barcelona really should be ahead.
24 mins: Real Madrid have looked like they are targeting Mingueza as he looks a touch out of his depth at this level. Bring back Oleguer, more for his political views than his footballing ability.
Vinicius latches onto a ball over the top despite being a yard offside. The assistant referee lets him carry on until his belated shot is blocked, at which point the assistant bothers to stick his flag up.
22 mins: Vinicius turns Mingueza inside and out on his way into the box. The right-back gets back alongside the Brazilian and then puts a hand on the Real Madrid man who goes over. The referee gives nothing, which is fair enough as Vinicius made the most of the contact. On the upside for Real Madrid, it is further proof Vinicius has the beating on Mingueza.
Updated
20 mins: Neither goalkeeper has had to do anything due to how cautious both teams are playing. I think, for the managers, politically they cannot lose this game, which does not make it a great watch.
18 mins: Both needs to add a but more pace into their passing if they are to break down the opposition. They are all very comfortable in possession but no one is offering incisive play.
Depay plays the ball out of play off Kroos but the assistant does not see the deflection despite being about five yards away. Impressive incompetence.
16 mins: Dest just about keeps a pass in play but then cleans out Vinicius on his way to retrieve the ball. He is lucky to not get a booking.
14 mins: Mingueza takes down Vinicius from behind on the touchline. Neither right-back is looking too competent thus far. Things get a little worse as Alaba lifts one of Mingueza, which Vinicius latches onto but his cross is turned behind.
The corner into the box is headed away by Pique.
12 mins: Depay is cleaned out by Vazquez just as the Dutchman had gone round him. Not a great challenge from the makeshift defender. Vazquez could be in for a difficult 90 minutes if he carries on like this.
10 mins: The crowd are on top of Real Madrid and they do not seem to like it. They’ve committed a few errors and niggly fouls in the opening 10 minutes.
Updated
8 mins: Courtois gets put under pressure on the edge of his own six-yard box and he cannot handle it (literally or metaphorically) and kicks it straight out for a throw to his right. Real Madrid are not looking too confident at the moment.
6 mins: Barcelona are controlling possession at the moment but have yet to perfect the final ball as they look to open up Real Madrid.
4 mins: Rodrygo runs at Pique but the centre-back is not too concern, using his experience to dispossess the Brazilian and then dummies to leave him on his bum.
2 mins: De Jong hassles Modric, forcing the Croatian to kick the ball out for a throw-in. An early sign of the intensity Barcelona intend to play with.
“You’re spot on about that kit,” says Stephen Carr. “It’s an absolute stinker. It looks like one of those fake ones your Nan brings you back from Benidorm. It probably says ‘Mesi’ on the back.”
Kick-off!
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
Here come the teams!
Is this the worst Barcelona kit of all time? I really hate it - the shirt looks awful and the shorts are horrific.
Good way to prepare.
Gavi catching the Barça U-19 team in action the morning of his first #ElClásico! #DreamTeen #MésQueUnClub pic.twitter.com/5Grzpg5bog
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2021
It is a beautiful day in Barcelona with almost clear skies above the Camp Nou, although it does result in a massive shadow on the pitch.
Sid Lowe on el gran partido.
Barcelona are not afraid of anyone, according to their under pressure head coach Ronald Koeman.
“We won two games in a row and the environment is much better,” said Koeman. “There is no fear from our side. I think we both have a good mix of youth and experience. We are better in ball possession and they are very dangerous counter attacking.
“We have to be aware of their speed when we lose possession and we need to be effective when we have the chance to score. In a game like this, we can’t afford to miss opportunities.”
It is a nice day for a game of football.
Sid Lowe has had a big ol’ chat with Gary Lineker who has been presenting on La Liga TV since about 7am this morning as far as I can see.
Real Madrid are starting with just one Spaniard, Lucas Vazquez. The forward is part of a makeshift defence, as he starts at right-back with Alaba operating at centre-back.
Dest continues on the right wing for Barcelona, which is interesting. It is sign that Koeman fears the Real Madrid attack.
Starting lineups
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Piqué, Eric García, Alba; Busquets, De Jong, Gavi; Dest, Memphis, Ansu Fati
Subs: Riqui Puig, Demir, Neto, Coutinho, Lenglet, L De Jong, Aguero, Roberto, Umtiti, Pena, Nico, Balde
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric: Vinicius, Rodrygo, Benzema.
Subs: Lunin, Luis Lopez, Carvajal, Vallejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Marcelo, Valerde, Mariano, Camavinga, Blanco
Buenos tardes
Barcelona start the day in eighth place is a sign of how badly things are going at the Camp Nou. Their manager is the new Steve Bruce as he awaits his sacking. The only hope for Ronald Koeman is that Barcelona can’t afford to pay up his contract, which is another indicated that the club is in turmoil.
There is some good news amid all the doom and gloom. Ansu Fati is back fit and looks like a player who can somewhat fill the void left by Lionel Messi’s much-publicised departure. Sergio Aguero is also fit and available following more injury concerns in the aftermath of his summer move from Manchester City.
Real Madrid have problems of their own. Star striker Karim Benzema spent the week on trial in Paris accused of blackmailing his former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena, so his head may have wandered elsewhere.
Both teams are reliant on young players coming through to replace the experience lost in recent times. Barcelona saw Messi leave for PSG where he was joined by Madrid stalwart Sergio Ramos. Their absence allows for new heroes to be created in what could be hailed as a new era, whether it is a good one remains to be seen.
Let’s hope for a classic El Clasico.
Kick-off: 3.15pm BST
