Real Madrid beat FC Barcelona 1-3 in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the Nou Camp. Madrid proved to be a much more solid team at this stage of the season and was able to leave with a convincing victory thanks to the goals of Gerard Pique, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Marco Asensio. Barcelona's single goal came from Lionel Messi following a nonexistent penalty on Luis Suarez.
Madrid the better team
It was an even match for the most part. It was not surprising to see an open match with immediate opportunities for both sides who were only playing their first official game this season.
The rust was apparent. But that did not impede the fans from feeling the excitement of a Clasico. It was interesting to hear the roar of so many tourists who cheered for Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.
Madrid proved to be the better team. They defended well when they had to, and when the opportunity to counter-attack emerged, they flew like aircraft in the open sky. Casemiro, Kovacic, Kroos, and Isco were firmly positioned in the middle of the pitch, letting Barcelona use its weak flanks.
The first goal came from a cross by Marcelo and an unfortunate interception by Pique that ended up in his own net in the 50th minute. Ronaldo entered in the 59th minute and had the chance to put his team up in the score again in the 80th minute.
His superb shot outside the box landed in the top-right corner of the goal.
Three minutes later, Ronaldo was at the center of all attention yet again when he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for apparently diving in the box. Ronaldo did not deserve a penalty kick, and neither was there a flagrant attempt to fool the referee.
Ronaldo further aggravated the situation by showing the referee. That may cost him at least four league games.
Asensio was also a breath of fresh air for Madrid off the bench. Madrid's deeper squad was again showcased. Barcelona brought in Denis Suarez, Sergi Roberto, and Paco Alcacer, but those three players contributed very little.
Asensio's goal in the 90th minute shocked the crowd. His powerful left-footed shot surprised Ter Stegen as the ball went through the narrowest corner above the goalkeeper.
Barcelona not ready for the new season
Barcelona reached Madrid's box on numerous occasions. However, their game was clearly not fluid up front. Suarez and the referee made up a penalty, and Messi's equalizer gave hope to Barcelona fans but nothing more than that.
The starting left winger, Gerard Deulofeu, made poor decisions. One reason for his deficient play was that he is a pure right winger. The right back, Aleix Vidal, was inconsistent all game long, and Ivan Rakitic was absent. Barcelona need better versions of such players.
The team should get elite players in every position, and that is something a team like Barcelona should already have.
Missing Neymar?
Pundits will be quick to say that Barcelona already misses Neymar. But what Barcelona really needs is to have better management that can assure them a better all-around squad. Right now, Barcelona can only hope to see a change of tides following the needed, and apparently imminent, signings of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. These additions will give Barcelona needed talent on the flanks as well as in the central-midfield. However, Barcelona needs more, and the recent signing of Paulinho will not solve the more pressing problems discussed.
