Barca Run Riot at the Bernabeu

The most eagerly anticipated match in the Spanish calendar ended in a pretty one sided affair. Goals from Neymar, Andres Iniesta and a brace from Luis Suarez humbled Real Madrid and piled on the pressure for Rafa Benitez. 

From the off Barca dominated. Neymar had the opening chance after a lay off by Luis Suarez from a Jordi Alba cross but his shot ballooned over. It wasn't long until the deadlock was broken by Luis Suarez with a lovely outside of the foot effort. Sergi Roberto's surging run forward caused problems for Madrid and committed Varane before sliding through to Suarez.

A sweeping ball from Iniesta found another great run from Roberto and with a bit more composure it would have been 2-0. Barca were causing problems which would be of concern for Benitez. Roberto blazed a shot over the bar on 25 minutes. Another great opportunity and the young Spaniard was at the centre of everything. 

Real Madrid pressed from the front and it nearly paid off as Ivan Rakitic was dispossessed but they couldn't make use of the chance. In the opening half an hour Barcelona had the better of the opportunities and looked the more settled. Particularly early on, Madrid gave up some easy chances but they tightened up as the half went only to be undone in the closing stages of the half.

Karim Benzema had a great chance after a sliced clearance but he failed to connect with the ball and it allowed Barca to counter. Neymar doubled the Catalan side's lead after being slid through by Iniesta and putting it through Navas' legs. Once again Madrid were carved open and it was going to take a great second half performance to get back in the match.

Barcelona were often reluctant to hit the long ball out from the back and looked to play out. When it worked, it looked beautiful but there was always a chance that it could back fire and result in a Madrid goal. It rarely failed however and Barcelona looked class above their counterparts.

Barcelona had a terrific chance to put their hosts to bed with a golden clear cut chance with Neymar skipping away from a challenge and racing to the byline before cutting the ball back to the edge of the box. Suarez got a toe to the ball but Marcelo was on hand to block the ball. Again Varane blocked a Rakitic shot but Madrid were living dangerously. Half time was greeted by jeers by the Bernabeu faithful and they showed their opinion of what they had seen from their side.  

Straight from the kick off, Marcelo skipped down the left flank but his shot hit the side netting. Minutes later, James Rodriguez released a shot from outside the area that was heading into the bottom corner but for an incredible save from Claudio Bravo. It was a positive reaction, but the elusive early goal evaded their grasp.

The game was finished the match through captain Andres Iniesta. It was a beautiful passage of play and a rocket of a finish by Iniesta. Luka Modric was motionless as the Spanish international cruised passed to release the shot. Minutes later they were queuing up for the fourth but Suarez hit the side netting. Madrid have been totally out played and deserve to be 3-0 down.

The little magician came on as the third goal went in and he had his first sighter on 66 minutes, a lovely lifted ball found Suarez but Varane scuffed the ball away to Neymar whose back heel found Messi but Varane blocked the shot once again. Ronaldo had an incredible chance to grab a goal back after a swift counter attack. He tried to lift the ball over Bravo but the Chilean read the move and saved comfortably.

Barca were on form and Suarez scored the fourth and his second after springing the offside trap and lifting over Navas. The Catalans were cruising, but they looked capable of scoring more goals. You could tell that Madrid were trying to get out of the match and that they just wanted the final whistle.

It went from bad to worse for Madrid when Isco was shown a straight red for a horrific challenge on Neymar. It was the correct decision and made the final 5 minutes very tough for the home side. Ronaldo had the final say for Madrid when he bulleted a header but it was equally met by Bravo. The Chilean keeper has played well on the few occasions that he was called upon.

At full time, Barcelona deserved their 4-0 victory and it probably could have been 2 or 3 more. The white handkerchiefs were waved around the Bernabeu and the Madristas expressed their dissatisfaction of their sides performance. Benitez will have questions to answer and they may be questions that he won't want to hear.

A Look at El Clasico

We're nearly a month into the Summer transfer window and arch rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona have already spent a hatful in order to bolster their squads to try and reclaim the title from Atletico. 

Barcelona add Luis Suarez to their already magnificent attack after agreeing a deal with Liverpool for £75m. It was probably the worst kept secret this summer and it didn't catch anyone by surprise when it was announced. Suarez is a world class player and has been a revelation in Liverpool's rise to prominence again, contributing 69 goals in 110 games. He certainly will be able to get Barcelona goals. The only problem I have with this transfer is that I am not sure where abouts he play on the pitch. Last season in the Premier League, he was often playing in a central position normally behind Daniel Sturridge with a tendency to drift wide and cut in with a free role. At Liverpool he was the main man, will he be able to cope with playing second fiddle to Messi or even Neymar? While he is banned from footballing activity for 4 months, rumour has it that he will be back in time to take on Real Madrid.

Earlier this week, Real Madrid revealed another one of their fabled Galacticos in Colombia's James Rodriguez. After a stunning World Cup, which saw him net 6 goals and win the Golden Boot, Carlo Ancelotti was quick to snap up the Colombian from AS Monaco for an estimated £63m. The 23 year old, seems to be a hit with the Madristas as 45,000 turned out for the unveiling and it has been reported that 345,000 James shirts were sold in the first 48 hours, already re-paying 20% of the transfer fee (that's if all my statistics are correct). Last season with Monaco, he netted 10 times and assisted 12 goals in 38 games, a tally that secured the recently French club to second position in Ligue 1. The signing completes a fearsome attack that surely must rank as the best in the world.

Having purchased Suarez this year and Neymar last season, Luis Enrique decided to strengthen in defensive positions in an attempt to reduce the goals conceded. The acquisition of Jeremy Mathieu was rather surprising, particularly for £15.8m and at 30 years old, he won't have very many playing years left. Even though Barcelona have been dominant over the last number of years, it has much been down to retaining possession and not letting the opposition attack. Mathieu may be a short term fix until they are able to acquire an heir to Carles Puyol. Another signing is that of Croatia's Ivan Rakitic. The former Sevilla man had a decent World Cup with Croatia, but was unable to guide the European side into the knockout stages. It is a possibility that he will be lined up to replace Xavi, in terms of dictating the play and fills the void left by Fabregas' departure. I don't see him becoming a regular starter in his first season as he will find it hard to displace Sergio Busquets at the heart of midfield and could be a rotational option for Xavi.

Toni Kroos has been phenomenal over the last two seasons and has been at the centre of success for Bayern and Germany. He joined the Champions League winners from the Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich for a fee believed to be £24m and snub a move to Manchester United. For £24m Madrid have bagged themselves a bargain as Kroos should command a fee that's at least double this amount. I expect Kroos to play along side Alonso and dictate the game and be an excellent addition to this young squad. The signing of James Rodriguez has almost overshadowed Kroos' transfer, and I think this one will be just as significant as the Colombian.

Germany have a number of exceptional young goal keepers in their possession, and since Victor Valdes didn't have his contract renewed, it was necessary to sign Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The 22 year old has recently admitted that he "enjoys the Barcelona way" in a recent interview after the friendly win against Recreativo Huelva. The former Monchengladbach man has a sparkling career ahead of him and will be one of Europe's top goal keepers in years to come. Having also turned down the option of renewing Jose Pinto's contract, Luis Enrique was in search of a back up keeper to ter Stegen, and who better than Claudio Bravo. The Chilean had a good World Cup which notably saw Chile beat Spain but narrowly go out on penalties to Brazil. At 31, this is his big money move and will hope to enjoy his time in Catalonia before hanging up the boots.

It has been a very busy transfer window for both Barcelona and Real Madrid with big sums of money being forked out on both sides. With world class talents on offer, it makes the El Clasico encounters so much more tasty. I cannot wait to see this La Liga season unfold.