Barcelona handed Actual Madrid a second crushing blow of the season on Sunday, amassing a 5-2 win within the Spanish Tremendous Cup closing that renewed confidence within the management of supervisor Hansi Flick as he picked up his first trophy on the membership.
Kylian Mbappe gave Actual Madrid the lead within the fifth minute however a blitz of objectives later within the first half gave them a 4-1 lead on the break, whereas Raphinha’s second-half purpose added to their successes. Wojciech Szczesny’s 56th-minute crimson card, mixed with Rodrygo’s Sixtieth-minute purpose, sophisticated issues barely for Barcelona however barely did sufficient injury to alter their commanding lead.
The contrasting performances have been additionally emblematic of each groups’ seasons to date – whereas Barcelona look revitalized with Flick in cost, Actual Madrid have but to take significant strides since including Mbappe to an already star-studded squad over the summer season. Although there’s a lot time left within the season, Sunday’s Tremendous Cup closing felt like a sign of how excessive Barcelona can fly – and the way a lot work Actual Madrid need to do with the intention to come near final season’s success.
Listed below are some takeaways from the Spanish Tremendous Cup closing.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona get it performed (once more)
After the ups and downs of final season at Barcelona, it actually was laborious to know what to anticipate from them this time round whatever the new supervisor. 5 months into Flick’s tenure, it is protected to say that hiring him was the correct name, and never solely as a result of he already has his first winner’s medal within the new job.
The German supervisor is getting the most effective out of his gamers, a tougher process than it appears at instances. He has the good thing about working with Lamine Yamal, a generational expertise who has seamlessly graduated from the academy to the primary crew, however the uptick in productiveness throughout the board is spectacular. Lewandowski is having fun with a banner marketing campaign at 36 years previous however the breakout star of the season is Raphinha, who now has 19 objectives together with his brace in Sunday’s closing. Their success, alongside the play of different youthful abilities like Pau Cubarsi and Gavi, has allowed Barcelona to remain aggressive regardless of Actual Madrid’s deep pockets – and their very own well-documented monetary hardships.
Flick’s Barcelona have additionally coupled sturdy type with large wins, a vital marker of their trophy-winning aspirations. They now have two multigoal wins over Madrid this season, the primary coming in October’s 4-0 drubbing at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, and one other lopsided victory over Bayern Munich within the UEFA Champions League. It has not at all times been excellent for Barcelona this season, however Flick’s aspect proceed to go each large take a look at in entrance of them. It makes them one of many extra fascinating groups to observe in Europe this season, and speaks extremely of the supervisor’s observe document as a winner.
Actual Madrid’s defensive nightmare
The end result was equal elements a mirrored image of Barcelona’s offensive may because it was Actual Madrid’s defensive sloppiness, which was laborious to disregard on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect should not precisely identified for a defense-first technique, however the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Aureline Tchouameni and Lucas Vazquez have been uncovered on a number of events as Barcelona put 5 previous them. The opposition took benefit of foolish errors like Eduardo Camavinga’s foul that led to a penalty, in addition to the areas left by the middle backs – in addition to an absolute incapacity to note Raphinha proper behind them – because the Brazil worldwide scored his first purpose.
It was not precisely the primary time this season that Actual Madrid have paid for his or her defensive errors, both. Their 4-0 loss to Barcelona earlier this season, which was adopted by a 3-1 loss to AC Milan within the Champions League, demonstrates a probably worrying behavior in large video games, which can not bode effectively for La Liga’s second-place aspect in a good title race.
Galacticos nonetheless have not clicked
Actual Madrid positioned themselves as an almost invincible crew final season as they collected the home title and the Champions League, surviving the imperfections because of an efficient group of goalscorers that will bail them out of hassle. With Mbappe in tow for this season, it appeared like Madrid have been merely leveling up on a successful technique however midway by means of the marketing campaign, issues haven’t precisely swung their means.
On one hand, the likes of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have performed effectively for themselves this season and have been even on the scoresheet on Sunday in Jeddah. They haven’t precisely discovered a approach to repeat final season’s trick of scoring on days the place Actual Madrid didn’t should win, and they’re just some members of an assault that has struggled on a number of events this season. After Mbappe’s purpose, for instance, they didn’t handle a lot by way of attacking probabilities and Rodrygo’s strike got here off a set piece that Szczesny conceded when he acquired a crimson card. They tried to assault additional after they have been taking part in 11 vs. 10, however Barcelona’s defense-mended technique meant there was little Actual Madrid might do.
Los Blancos’ high-profile assault has a shock behavior of going quiet this season, as October’s loss to Barcelona and their Champions League loss to Lille exhibit. It appears like the opposite shoe has lastly dropped for an imbalanced Madrid, which might price them of their quest to win trophies this season.
