El Clasico player ratings: Luis Suarez thrives, Cristiano Ronaldo struggles
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Updated 03/12/2016 at 18:57 GMT
Graham Ruthven runs the rule over the Barcelona and Real Madrid sides in Satruday afternoon's Clasico whic ended 1-1 at the Camp Nou.
Luis Suarez celebrates his goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid
Image credit: Reuters
BARCELONA
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - 6
Often the source of unease at the back for Barcelona the German only put his defence under pressure once and made a crucial save in the first half to deny Cristiano Ronaldo at the near post.
Sergi Roberto - 5
The midfielder-turned-full back was targeted by Real Madrid, with both Lucas Vazquez and Marcelo enjoying themselves against Roberto. He is the weak link in this Barcelona team.
Javier Mascherano - 4
The Argentine looked to be on edge for much of the match. He was fortunate not to give away a penalty for a late tackle on Vazquez in the first half and slipped to allow Sergio Ramos a free header for the equaliser.
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Barcelona's Javier Mascherano tangles with Real Madrid's Lucas Vazquez
Image credit: AFP
Gerard Pique - 8
He has been something of a security net for Barcelona on many occasions this season and so it proved once more in the Clasico. Pique made a number of last-ditch interceptions to deny Real Madrid.
Jordi Alba - 6
The left back was used as a quarterback by Luis Enrique in the first half, charged with launching diagonal balls towards Luis Suarez. From a defensive perspective, Alba was asked to fill in as sweeper and proved effective in that role.
Sergio Busquets - 7
Criticised for his recent performances, Busquets showed why he is still the best in his position against Real Madrid. Although he wasn’t so much a back four barrier as a deep-lying playmaker, picking the passes going forward.
Ivan Rakitic - 5
The Croatian struggled to get a grip of his opposite numbers in the centre of the pitch, finding himself overrun at times. However, he did enough to stay on over Andre Gomes when Andres Iniesta was introduced.
Andre Gomes - 5
Enrique signed Gomes from Valencia to provide some drive through the middle, but so far he has been denied the chance to show that. This was a nothing performance from the Portuguese. It was a wonder he lasted as long as he did before being replaced.
Lionel Messi - 6
The final product was missing from his play, passing up the chance to kill the match at 1-0, dragging a shot wide when he should have found the net. Messi played as a midfielder against Real Madrid, dropping deep to collect the ball. Whether that benefited his team is debatable.
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Barcelona's Leo Messi runs at Real Madrid during El Clasico
Image credit: Reuters
Neymar - 6
He was in prime protagonist mode against Real Madrid and for a long time his battle with Dani Carvajal appeared to be distracting him. He Neymar contributed an excellent assist for Suarez’s opener, but missed a sitter when he could have put the contest to bed.
Luis Suarez - 7
So often an irrepressible hub of energy, the Uruguayan was given very little to deal with, particularly in the first half. But Suarez found the opener in typical fashion, beating his marker to a cross through sheer hunger to head home. He took his one chance well.
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Luis Suarez celebrates scoring for Barcelona against Real Madrid
Image credit: AFP
Subs
Andres Iniesta - 8
Barcelona were a completely different proposition with their captain and playmaker in chief on the pitch. Iniesta wasn’t fit enough to start, but dictated the contest when he came on as a second half substitute. Enrique needs him back as soon as possible.
Arda Turan - 5
The Turkish international was thrown on to give Barcelona some fight as the game wound down, but he conceded the needless foul that led to Real Madrid’s equaliser. Turan is still a player without a clear role at Camp Nou.
Denis Suarez - 5
The summer signing from Villarreal was introduced too late to many any real impact on the game.
REAL MADRID
Keylor Navas - 5
For all Barcelona’s possession the Costa Rican goalkeeper didn’t have too much to deal with. Navas couldn’t have done anything about Suarez’s opener. In fact, that was the first time that he had touched the ball all game; grabbing it out of his own net.
Dani Carvajal - 5
The right-back found himself in a battle with Neymar for much of the game, to the point that it seemed to distract him. Carvajal was left exposed down his flank, giving Neymar and then Iniesta plenty space to use. Not his best performance.
Raphael Varane - 5
While the French centre back was generally solid alongside Ramos he was beaten to the header from which Suarez scored Barcelona’s opener. For a defender as tall and commanding as he is, Varane should have done better.
Sergio Ramos - 7
Never count out a side with Ramos in it. Defensively, he dealt with every long ball that was lumped up to Suarez in the first half and salvaged Real Madrid a point with a late header. We’ve read that story before.
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Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring a late equaliser for Real Madrid against Barcelona
Image credit: AFP
Marcelo - 6
The Brazilian was given a lot of space to work with down the left side, combining well with Lucas Vazquez to provide Real Madrid with an outlet. Marcelo created a late chance for Ronaldo with a cross to the back post, illustrating how valuable he is on the attack.
Luka Modric - 8
He was the standout player in white, and the standout performer on the pitch in the first half. Modric is the man who makes Real Madrid tick and so it proved in the Clasico. The Croatian dictates their forward play, but was also crucial in the number of interceptions and tackles he made. Plus, his free-kick created the chance from which Ramos equalised.
Mateo Kovacic - 6
Having impressed in recent weeks a lot was expected from Kovacic, but he found himself outshone by Modric alongside him. It might be a little unfair to compare him to his compatriot, given Modric’s quality, but Kovacic was partially at fault for the Barcelona goal.
Isco - 5
The playmaker was used in a more defensive, conservative position than most expected him to be used in. Ultimately, it was a role that didn’t suit Isco. Eager to make a point and impress, he charged around the pitch a lot, but it was largely in vain.
Lucas Vazquez - 7
Zinedine Zidane has taken to using Vazquez as something of a tactical pawn in recent weeks. He did it against Atletico Madrid and he it at the Camp Nou. Vazquez gave Real Madrid an outlet, switching wings frequently to keep Barca on their toes.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 5
Real Madrid’s number seven started slowly, but grew into the game. Moved into the number nine role in the second half, Ronaldo appeared more comfortable but should have done better with a late header at the back post.
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Cristiano Ronaldo challenges Lionel Messi
Image credit: AFP
Karim Benzema - 5
The French striker struggled with a lack of service throughout. This wasn’t really a game for Benzema, especially given Zidane’s tactics, and so it wasn’t surprising to see him withdrawn in the second half.
Subs
Casemiro - 5
With Real Madrid 1-0 the introduction of Casemiro as a midfield anchor was a slightly strange one by Zidane. However, he allows Modric to push further up the pitch, although the Brazilian still isn’t fit. That was obvious in his display.
Marco Asensio - 6
The youngster was brought on for Benzema, which allowed Ronaldo to play as a number nine. Asensio’s energy gave Busquets something new to think about. He was effective in the minutes he was on the pitch.
Mariano Diaz - 4
Fresh off the back of a Copa del Rey hat trick during the week, Mariano was brought on late to grab a goal. He hardly had a touch of the ball, though.
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