5 things Barcelona learned from El Clasico

What did Barcelona really learn from El Clasico?

For much of Saturday’s game between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, it seemed as though it was going to plan for Luis Enrique’s men. Despite being outplayed in the first half, the Blaugrana lead 1-0 in the closing stages thanks to a Luis Suarez goal, only for Sergio Ramos to pop up with an equaliser in the dying embers.

With the hosts six points behind their rivals heading into the game, a lead which has subsequently been upheld, victory would have probably suited the neutral. In any league, a compelling title race is desirable, but especially in LaLiga where the battle runs much deeper than points won on the pitch.

But as it is, Zinedine Zidane’s side salvaged a valuable draw. On the balance of play it was a fair result because Suarez’s goal swung the momentum in his side’s favour as Los Blancos were in the ascendancy.

Zidane is a strange case as a manager. His record speaks for itself, with unbeaten runs and impressive victories backed up by success in the Champions League and obviously now their lead in the league. There are still some doubters, though, because the Frenchman doesn’t bring the star dust he did as a player to the dugout. Some just say he’s lucky.

Whatever you think of him and his team, they are making life extremely tough for the reigning champions. Something needs to change if Enrique is to lead Barcelona to another title, but he’s shown he’s capable of finding exactly what.

Here are five things El Clasico will have taught him and his players.