St. Jude vs Barcelona.

Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2×1 in what was the first Spanish soccer derby of the 2023-2024 season.

Sloppy defending by Madrid led to the first goal just six minutes into the match, as Barcelona tried to get into the box with a one-two between Ilkay Gündogan and Ferrán Torres.

Aurélien Tchouaméni tried to cut out the play and deflected the ball that Gündogan took advantage of to beat Madrid goalkeeper Kepa.

Barcelona continued to threaten to score the second, meanwhile, the Merengues looked lost on the pitch, with no ideas up front and zero soccer creation, they were losing the game in the middle of the field and once again it showed how ineffective the 4-4-2 formation is being, which favors Bellingham. but not the strikers. Many soccer connoisseurs and fans prefer Madrid with a 4-3-3 giving the flanks to Vinicus and Rodrygo.

Xavi’s approach outperformed Calos Ancelotti’s in the first 45 minutes, but in the second half the Italian knew how to solve the problems and make the necessary changes to turn the score around, especially the entry of Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga, who revolutionized the game for the Merengues.

Despite improving on the field and trying again and again, it was not until the 68th minute that the usual player appeared, Jude Bellingham scored a great goal from outside the area with a shot that was impossible for goalkeeper Ter Stegen. Then in the second minute of added time waiting for the final whistle, Bellingham, as if touched by the gods, once again appeared with his second goal to give Madrid the three points and was the MVP of the match.

With this victory, the team from the Spanish capital reaches 28 points and maintains the first position in the table tied with the incredible Girona, the Culés were on 24 points, four behind the leader.

Written by Alejandro López Quintero.