The defeat handed hand Madrid its first home loss in 23 Spanish league games while Barcelona opened up a six-point lead in the standings.
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Sergi Roberto burst through the heart of midfield and, as Sergio Ramos pushed up to close him down, he slipped the ball through to Suarez who bent a low shot past Navas and into the bottom corner.
Atletico Madrid can climb back to within four points of Barca and leapfrog Real into second with a win at promoted Real Betis on Sunday.
Considering that this is the first time in 18 matches that no one has scored between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Bravo became the first goalkeeper in 18 games to have kept a clean sheet in the Clasico.
The Catalans ripped Benitez’s side to shreds as a sold-out Bernabeu turned on their team, manager and president after a clásico humiliation that will be talked about for years.
Only youngster Marco Asensio (5) has now registered more assists in La Liga this term than Neymar (4), who in turn has created more chances (43) than any other player. It was relatively easy – the best option for Leo. He has now won 15 Clasicos, only 3 players have managed more wins – Francisco Gento (21), Alfredo Di Stefano (17) and Xavi (17) but he could easily get to the top of that list considering he’s the only one on the top of that list still playing.
In defense, Benitez’s strength, he opted for the young Raphael Varane over the experienced Pepe. Real Madrid played poorly the second half too and Iniesta sealed the victory with a stunning strike while Suarez would finish off Madrid with a fourth goal.
That was only the second goal Real had conceded at home all season, but their usually strong defence simply had no answer to Barcelona’s attacking prowess.
‘Losing like this and against a rival like Barcelona hurts us a lot. This, despite the fact that enforcer Javier Mascherano was injured and replaced early.
Asked if this was the preferred XI of the Bernabeu hierarchy – a clear reference to club chief Perez – Benitez said he had chosen a team full of quality but the gameplan had not worked out.
Before kick off, both teams lined up on the field and the stadium fell silent as the French national anthem played to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks in Paris last week.
Barca should have been two to the good shortly after, but Roberto failed to make the most of Iniesta’s raking pass before Ivan Rakitic blazed a shot over the bar.
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Eventually, the hapless Marcelo made way for Dani Carvajal, and the only effective offensive player for Real the first half, James, was substituted for by Isco. Benitez had no further ideas.
