‘Humiliation’, ‘a rout’: Global media reacts to Barça’s El Clásico win
Barcelona dominated Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clásico, with Barça boss Xavi claiming that his side are capable of beating anyone if they play like that.
Barcelona head coach Xavi said the 4-0 Clasico thumping of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu was the perfect template for how he wants his side to play.
A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace and goals from Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres sealed a memorable win for the Blaugrana, who had lost their previous five games against Carlo Ancelotti's league leaders.
The win meant Xavi became just the third coach to win his first Clasico match by four or more goals in LaLiga history, after Ferdinand Daucik in 1951 and Helenio Herrera in 1959.
Barça were superior to their hosts in every department and Xavi believes his side can be a match for anyone if they continue to perform at that standard.
"We didn't expect to be so superior at their stadium," he told a media conference.
Global press response
The Guardian (UK): Madrid based football writer Sid Lowe claimed that Barcelona's win at the Bernabéu was a 'rout' adding...'The contest, insofar as there was one, was over before the hour. Maybe even before the break, the stadium almost silent as Real Madrid walked off at half-time'.
L'Equipe (France): The French based sports outlet pointed to Karim Benzema's absence as one of the fundamental reasons for Real Madrid's abject performance. 'A glittering display where Barcelona deprived the side from Madrid of the ball' wrote Marius Veillerort in his analysis of the Bernabéu clash.
Diario Ole (Argentina): The Argentine sports daily spoke of a 'historical defeat' for Real Madrid against an impressive FC Barcelona as they focused on how many home fans left the Santiago Bernabéu early with the game beyond the home side early in the second half. 'A poignant image which reflected the game and sent a powerful message in the biggest domestic match in world football'.
Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy): Madrid based writer Filippo Ricci focused on Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics as one of the key fundamentals in Real Madrid’s defeat. He also went on to praise Xavi Hernandez starting “Xavi is on the right path, the same one taken previously by Cruijff and Pep (Guardiola)”