On November 29, 2010, Barcelona faced Real Madrid in one of the most anticipated “El Clásico” matches in La Liga history at the Camp Nou. Barcelona delivered a stunning performance, securing a 5-0 victory in a match that is widely regarded as one of their greatest displays under Pep Guardiola.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Barcelona: 5 (Xavi 10′, Pedro 18′, David Villa 55′, 58′, Jeffrén 90′)
- Real Madrid: 0
- Possession:
- Barcelona dominated possession with 67%, while Real Madrid had 33%. Barcelona’s control of the ball was a hallmark of their play under Guardiola, allowing them to dictate the tempo and pin Real Madrid deep in their own half for much of the match.
- Shots:
- Barcelona registered 17 shots, with 8 on target, reflecting their attacking dominance and relentless pressure on Real Madrid’s defense. Real Madrid managed only 5 shots, with 2 on target, struggling to create meaningful chances against Barcelona’s well-organized defense.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Barcelona had a passing accuracy of 90%, completing 684 passes out of 761 attempts. Real Madrid’s passing accuracy was 78%, completing 313 passes out of 403 attempts. The stark contrast in passing statistics highlighted Barcelona’s superiority in ball retention and movement.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Barcelona made 14 tackles compared to Real Madrid’s 23, indicating Real Madrid’s struggle to regain possession and disrupt Barcelona’s fluid passing game. Barcelona’s defense, anchored by Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol, effectively neutralized Madrid’s attacking threats, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Set Pieces:
- Barcelona’s goals came entirely from open play, with swift and precise passing sequences leading to clinical finishes. Xavi opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a deft touch and finish after a pass from Andrés Iniesta. Pedro doubled the lead in the 18th minute, tapping in after David Villa’s cross. Villa then scored twice in quick succession in the second half, first slotting home after a through ball from Lionel Messi and then finishing a similar move moments later. Jeffrén completed the rout in the 90th minute with a close-range finish after another well-worked team move.
- Individual Performances:
- Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta were the standout performers in midfield, dictating the game with their vision and passing. David Villa was lethal in front of goal, scoring twice and assisting another. Lionel Messi, despite not scoring, was pivotal in orchestrating Barcelona’s attacks, providing two assists. For Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo was largely kept quiet, unable to influence the game as he normally does, due to Barcelona’s dominance.
- Tactical Overview:
- Barcelona, managed by Pep Guardiola, employed a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on high pressing, quick passing, and maintaining possession. Real Madrid, under José Mourinho, used a 4-2-3-1 formation but were unable to impose their usual counter-attacking style due to Barcelona’s control of the game. Barcelona’s tactics were perfectly executed, overwhelming Madrid in all areas of the pitch.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw seven yellow cards, five for Real Madrid (Cristiano Ronaldo 33′, Ricardo Carvalho 36′, Iker Casillas 45′, Sergio Ramos 90′) and two for Barcelona (Víctor Valdés 34′, David Villa 70′). The game was intense and physical, with tempers flaring, especially in the latter stages, culminating in Sergio Ramos being sent off in the 90th minute for a rash challenge on Messi followed by a confrontation with Puyol.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Barcelona won 6 corners compared to Real Madrid’s 2, reflecting their sustained pressure throughout the match. Both teams were caught offside twice, showing attempts to break the opposition’s defensive lines, though Barcelona’s precision passing often bypassed Madrid’s defense effectively.
Summary
Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Real Madrid in the November 2010 “El Clásico” is considered one of the most dominant performances in the history of the rivalry. The match was a masterclass in possession football, with Barcelona completely outplaying a Real Madrid side that came into the match as league leaders under José Mourinho.
Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta controlled the midfield, while Lionel Messi, despite not scoring, was instrumental in creating chances. David Villa’s two goals in the second half sealed the win, with Jeffrén adding a fifth to cap off a humiliating night for Madrid.
Real Madrid struggled to cope with Barcelona’s intensity and passing accuracy, and their frustrations boiled over with multiple bookings and a late red card for Sergio Ramos. The defeat was a significant blow to Mourinho’s Madrid, who were outclassed in every department.
The match solidified Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as one of the greatest teams in football history, with their style of play becoming a benchmark for success. For Real Madrid, the match was a wake-up call, highlighting the gap they needed to close to compete with Barcelona at the time.
