Barcelona's wake-up call to Real Madrid

El Clasico on May 11 was not just a match, but a manifesto of two opposing football philosophies. Hansi Flick's Barcelona - coherent, in tune and full of desire. Ancelotti's Real Madrid - fragmented, disjointed and surprisingly lacking in identity.

The 4-3 result of the match in favor of Barcelona accurately reflects the gap between the two Spanish giants at the moment.

Barcelona - the perfect harmony of tactics and determination

Under Flick, Barcelona are playing a style of play that Catalan fans have long craved. High pressing, quick transitions and a constant search for attacking opportunities - this philosophy permeates every breath of the players. They don't just play football, they control the game.

The midfield axis of De Jong and Pedri is the clearest example. These two midfielders don't just touch the ball - they draw delicate lines, weaving through space with astonishing grace.

Each pass from De Jong and Pedri was individual, but at the same time, they were part of a collective symphony. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler were completely out of tune, like musicians playing a different piece to the rest of the orchestra.

Barcelona are on fire.

More remarkable is the way Barcelona have turned non-star players into effective pieces. Eric Garcia and Gerard Martín - names that have not impressed - have become reliable full-backs.

They not only perform well in defense but also contribute significantly to the attacking play. This is the power of a well-functioning system: elevating each individual and covering up weaknesses.

Real Madrid - outstanding issues

Real Madrid entered the match as a collection of outstanding individuals rather than a cohesive team. Mbappe, despite scoring a hat-trick, could not save the situation.

Ancelotti's tactics - if you can call them tactics - seem to be "pass the ball to Mbappe and pray". A team with billion-euro stars playing like a lower-tier team trying to defend: lacking direction, lacking identity and, most worryingly, lacking fighting spirit.

Real Madrid's defence was left with huge gaps. Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde - both world- class midfielders - were suddenly forced to drop back to the same level as the centre-backs, trying to patch up a fragile defence.

Even worse was the way Güler and Vinicius performed: either too slow to help out defensively, or simply not bothering to do so. This situation gave Lamine Yamal - Barcelona's young talent - the opportunity to express himself and "punish" the opponent's laxity.

Real Madrid failed.

Real Madrid's core problem is not a lack of talent but a lack of clear vision. They constantly change tactics and formations from game to game, creating confusion and a lack of connection.

Barcelona, ​​while sometimes adventurous, have always stuck to their philosophy. This difference is not only evident on the pitch, but also in the way the two teams build their squads and develop.

The result of El Clasico is a wake-up call for Real Madrid. Regardless of who Mbappe or any other superstar they have, they will still fail if they fail to find their collective identity. Carlo Ancelotti, for all his achievements, will probably have to take responsibility and will inevitably leave after this season.

Meanwhile, Barcelona under Flick are slowly regaining their lost glory. They are not perfect - sometimes being too cautious and making mistakes like the one against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final. But more importantly, they are on the right track - building a united team with a clear style of play.

This season's La Liga title did not come from Barcelona's absolute excellence, but from Real Madrid's self-destruction - a team that forgot that football, at its most fundamental, is always a sport of team and solidarity.

Source: https://znews.vn/cai-tat-canh-tinh-real-madrid-cua-barcelona-post1552612.html