No Messi, No Cry: Luis Suarez Lights Up El Classico As Barcelona Thrashes Real Madrid 5-1

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as F C Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid in the first Classico of the 2018-19 season. After Atletico Madrid went on top of the table, FC Barcelona required a victory to regain top spot, and they did in style as they applied salt in the wounds of their arch-rivals.

Barcelona wasted no time in the match, with Philippe Coutinho striking on the 11th minute. Ivan Rakitic caught Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane and Nacho napping with a defence-splitting through ball to Jordi Alba, who had a chance to score on his own but selflessly cut it back to Coutinho who passed the ball into an open net.

Minutes later Varane’s clumsy challenge on Suarez compelled the referee to go to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and award a penalty to Barcelona. Luis Suarez stepped up and scored past a helpless Courtois in the Los Blancos goal.

Barcelona had many chances to finish the game before half-time but was unable to do so. Real Madrid Manager brought on winger Lucas Vasquez in a bold move by removing a struggling Varane and went with three defenders at the back. The move paid off as Vasquez exploited the left side of Barcelona defence, and within five minutes of the start, Madrid pulled a goal back through Marcelo, who was by far their best player on the pitch.

The game could have taken a different road when Luka Modric hit the post minutes later. Barcelona coach showed his strategical masterclass by bringing on Nelson Semado and Dembele who turn a three-person defence of Real Madrid inside out. Suarez used his predatory instincts to score his second before pouncing on a mistake from Ramos to complete his hat-trick. Substitute Vidal added a fifth, to complete Real Madrid’s destruction.

As a result of the performance, Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui now faces the sack, with Antonio Conte rumoured to be in line to replace the former Real Madrid goalkeeper in the dugout.

Under Lopetugui, Madrid was toothless in attack, shapeless in midfield and shambolic in defence. Yesterday’s game was a mirror of how they have performed this season. Goal Keeper Courtois made a few good saves but felt clueless and confused over deciding when he had to release a counter or keep possession. The arrival of Conte could help him a lot as he won the Premier League under him at Chelsea.

Both Barcelona and Madrid will now play in the Spanish cup, facing Leonesa and Melila respectively before their next league games.