Rafa’s Real Revolution - how is Benitez changing the biggest club in the world?

This probably wasn’t what Benitez planned for his first Clasico as manager. Jose Mourinho’s first Clasico in charge of Real Madrid might have been a blazing dumpster fire, but the Santiago Bernabeu might as well have burnt to the ground after Saturday’s result. Not even Graeme Souness was as effective in planting a flag in the ground of a rival team as Barcelona were at the weekend.

Benitez now faces something of an existential crisis. His appointment was designed to avoid the very sort of result Real Madrid suffered on Saturday, with his conservative — often decried as boring — tactics tailored to make his teams better, more effective, on the big occasion. But for the biggest game of all Benitez ditched his big-game tactics.

Casemiro had become Benitez’s midfield marshal in recent weeks, even for games in which Real Madrid probably didn’t need any protection for the back four. Yet against a Barcelona side at their most dangerous between the lines of midfield and attack Benitez, for some reason, benched the Brazilian destroyer. It gave Barca complete control of the centre of the pitch.

But this is where Benitez’s personality as a coach is at odds with Real’s identity as a club. Had he opted for a more defensive-minded approach, the Bernabeu likely would have waved their white handkerchiefs all the same — even in hypothetical victory. Even if he keeps his job in the immediate-term, Benitez is doomed at Real Madrid.

For the first time since October 4, Real Madrid’s BBC were reunited — although this was no celebration. This wasn’t quite your usual reunion — there was no dancing, no glee and certainly no reminiscing of the good times, only self-loathing and the realisation that pretty much everyone you know is doing better than you in life (actually, that does sound like my usual reunion).

In fairness, at least two of Real Madrid’s famed frontline are still struggling for full fitness, with Karim Benzema in particular looking short in this department. Benitez could have played himself and been closer to full fitness than the French striker was against Barcelona. Gareth Bale too is still somewhere adrift of his best, as is Cristiano Ronaldo — who now appears just a misplaced pass away from a huff in every game he plays. In the spirit of new media over old media, Barcelona’s MSN trumped Real’s BBC on Saturday.

Like smoke heading up the Sistine Chapel chimney, the Santiago Bernabeu has its own distinct way of indicating when it is looking for a new figurehead. When the white handkerchiefs are waved, whichever Real Madrid manager finds himself in the dugout at that time knows time is running out.

Saturday’s result brought the malaise which had been bubbling under the surface at the Bernabeu for weeks to the surface, with Benitez now the pantomime villain. Club president Florentino Perez is indeed behind the former Chelsea and Liverpool boss, giving his backing to the under fire coach, despite calls for his head.

With every Barcelona shot that passed Keylor Navas into the Real net Benitez calmly scribbled something in his notepad. Maybe it was a ransom note, because at the moment he must feel trapped at the Bernabeu.

Somebody should give Benitez Jeremy Corbyn’s number. At least then the Real Madrid boss could seek some counsel about how to cope with sniping from within your own ranks, with the Bernabeu dressing room reportedly split in its loyalties to their coach. “If the dressing room were to vote about whether they wanted him to remain at the helm, he'd be lucky if five or six players voted in his favour,” writes Marca. “It’d be a landslide ‘No’ victory.”

The club’s hierarchy has rallied around Benitez, but how long can he survive without support from his own players? Ronaldo could be the powerbroker, with the professional huff artist reportedly telling Perez to choose between him or Benitez. After a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Barcelona it’s not hard to judge who holds the leverage in that tussle.

Real Madrid fans, and the local press, alike “want heads to roll’ - as one newspaper put it on Sunday morning. Look closely enough and you’ll have most likely spotted white handkerchiefs being flown from the Bernabeu press box, as well as from the stands, on Saturday night. Benitez’s family still lives on Merseyside, and the Spanish capital must be a very lonely place for him right now.

Marca were harshest of all after the defeat to Barca, revealing that Real Madrid players mockingly call Benitez “the number 10” - an ironic nickname highlighting their view that the former Valencia and Napoli boss lacks the footballing pedigree to mete out advice to some of the sport’s brightest stars. Apparently some players avoid the touchline near the dugout in order to dodge Benitez’s meaningless tactical advice. They hear white noise instead - although Benitez probably craves some white noise right now over the jeers and whistles ringing in his ears.

Benitez would probably be wise not to check his Twitter mentions right now. It can be a tough place for a Real Madrid manager.