Five things we learned from May’s El Clásico fixture

Red cards always alter tactics

With little to play for other than pride in this one, many fans were unsure of what to expect from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Yes, Barca are still chasing history with an unbeaten season, but motivation may not have been as high in the Spanish capital.

Instead, it was a pleasant surprise to see both teams enthrall the Camp Nou crowd with an attacking flair and early goals. All that changed when Sergi Roberto took a swipe at Madrid left-back Marcelo just before the half-time break.

The defender was handed a straight red card, and the entire complexion of the match was modified. Suddenly, different styles and tactics were used for the remainder of the game.

The effects were seen early in the second half, as the overall pace and tempo of the match seemed to slow a bit. However, that was not the case for too long and there was still significant life left in the fixture.

While the decision from referee Alejandro Hernandez was harsh in some respects, Roberto can only blame himself for retaliating against Marcelo. Composure and attitude are critical, especially on a massive occasion like El Clásico.

Sunday featured attractive and free-flowing football, but Sergi Roberto’s mistake altered several decisions as the evening wore on.