The evening's meeting was supposed to have been played at the end of October but unrest in Barcelona stopped. After many and long discussions the game was postponed and tonight the two teams finally had to settle. Even before today's match, it has been messy in Barcelona. Thousands of people have protested and security preparations have been extensive. During the match, clashes between protesters and police outside the arena also occurred.
The framing was powerful. The Catalan colors red and yellow covered the entire arena in an impressive typhoon. Also, banners with the text "libertat", Catalan for freedom, could be discerned on the stands. The match itself was all the less dramatic. Real Madrid put a successful pressure on the home team and the few chances that were well created were usually of the cooler kind.
In the second half, Lionel Messi was given the position to give "Barca" the lead, but the Argentine only hit the air and the position remained aimless at Camp Nou. Gareth Bale has had a tough season in Real and the Welshman has been questioned but tonight Bale got the chance from the start. Gareth Bale scored the only goal of the evening but it was doomed after Ferland Mendy, who was in charge, was in an offside position.
The match ended 0-0 and it was the first time since 2002 that an El Clasico ended aimlessly. Today's cruise means that the two Spanish giants are still at the same point at the top of La Liga.