A win at the Bernabeu for Barca, who are chasing a sixth La Liga title in eight years, would put them six points clear of Real after 12 matches.
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It may have helped that Iniesta is a hero in Spain for the goal that won the 2010 World Cup but it nonetheless underlined the brilliance of the 31-year-old’s performance that Real fans again cast aside their hatred for their rivals for a moment.
“There is still a long way to go and this is by no means decisive, but we leave here feeling very, very satisfied”, he said. It has to have consequences.
One thousand national police were in attendance while 1,400 private security guards were appointed by Real Madrid in light of events in Paris.
His future is in the hands of club president Florentino Perez, who has seen numerous managers come and go and whose own role is under the spotlight.
“This is a problem for Real Madrid that will not change unless the whole idea and whole philosophy changes”.
Casemiro has generally been Benitez’s preferred option as a midfield anchor alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, but rather than continue with this strategy he chose to field the more high-profile attacking talent James Rodriguez. “I try to manage the group I have in the best way possible”. We have to stick together. The Spaniard, like many in the stadium, had lost his composure – hacking away at Neymar from behind to receive a straight red.
“Our idea was to squeeze possession and to take advantage of having players with experience”.
“It wasn’t a question of attitude”. It was brilliantly worked by the Catalan side as Sergio Roberto led the attack before playing a great ball into the feet of Suarez who did well with the first-time shot to send it beyond Keylor Navas and into the bottom corner to silene the Bernabeu.
“We wanted to win and then the bigger the difference the better”, he said. The chance for Marcelo was a key point.
“It was a complete game from us”. We paid for our mistakes and it was increasingly hard. It hurts us a lot to lose in this manner and against a team like Barcelona. “I worry about the team recovering emotionally for the next game”.
Rafa claimed the game’s key point came just after half-time, when Madrid came out keen to get back into the game but left-back Marcelo fluffed a chance to make it 2-1 to halve the deficit.
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Moreover, with a club legend like Zinedine Zidane coaching Madrid’s reserve team, Perez wouldn’t have to look far for a popular replacement.
