FC Barcelona-R.Madrid: Neymar and Alexis tip The Clasico Barça's way (2-1) | FC Barcelona
Barça-Real Madrid games always provide plenty of images that stick in the mind – this time it was not just the wonderful tribute to Tito Vilanova in the pre-match mosaic, but also Neymar’s first Clasico goal and Alexis Sanchez’s magical chip for the second. The Chilean’s 72nd minute beauty ended up being the difference between the two well matched sides.
Barcelona defeat Real Madrid in the Clasico by Graham Hunter - ESPN FC
As he heads back to Madrid, having lost his first Clasico as Real Madrid manager, 2-1 to Barcelona, back to the drawing board, he can legitimately start to wonder why he can’t remember smashing that mirror, walking under that ladder or a black cat crossing his path muttering evilly about all cats having Catalan sympathies.
Barcelona's Neymar overshadows Gareth Bale to help defeat Real Madrid | The Observer
Gareth Bale will have to await his chance to make an impact on a clásico. It was Spanish football's other big summer signing, Neymar Santos Junior, who took the Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry into a new era. Bale departed on the hour, having taken another step towards full fitness but he did so having been largely frustrated; when Neymar departed 23 minutes later, he left to a thunderous ovation.
Neymar Jr debuts with a goal in the Clásico | FC Barcelona
Neymar Jr scored in his first Clásico, as did Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Ibrahimovic and Villa. Piqué, Alexis and Jordi Alba also scored in their first year with FC Barcelona against Real Madrid.
Tata Martino: "Alexis has been playing well since the end of last season" | FC Barcelona
Gerardo Martino said in the post-match press conference that Barça started off well but lost a little steam as time ticked off the clock, and that his men played "an excellent first half." He added: "We played a normal second half and in the last 15 minutes we managed to have more control." The Argentinian then praised Alexis, explained why Iniesta was subbed off and played down the fact that Barça have a six-point lead over Madrid.
Iniesta: "Alexis and Neymar will help us win titles" | FC Barcelona
The FC Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta was one of the standout players this afternoon in the match against Real Madrid. After the match, Iniesta praised the goal scorers Neymar Jr and Alexis Sánchez: "The talent players like Neymar and Alexis have is indisputable. They are players that will help Barça win titles, which is what we all want."
Neymar lights up the Clasico to add insult to Bale's injury - Goal.com
Between the two of them they cost more than €157 million this summer, but any casual observer tuning into Barcelona’s clash with Real Madrid on Saturday would have been forgiven for thinking Gareth Bale had left Tottenham on a free and Neymar’s switch from Santos had accounted for the lot.
Martino and Neymar leave Ancelotti in the shade - Goal.com
Tata, though, went back to the old school on Saturday night. He had hinted at what might come on Tuesday against AC Milan. Once Alexis Sanchez was replaced by Cesc Fabregas, with around 15 minutes left, Messi went wide to the right. Meanwhile, Ancelotti prepared his team for this match with Messi as centre forward in mind.
Busquets fed up of Madrid 'tears' - Goal.com
"Madrid crying about the referee? They always look for excuses. They have no reason to complain, not today, not earlier this season," Busquets said after the game. "The easy excuse is the referee. Same as always. They cannot complain at all this season about the officials. But if they will, they will."
Zubizarreta: "We played an intelligent match" | FC Barcelona
When asked about Neymar and Alexis’ performances, Zubizarreta gushed: "You can’t ask anything more of Neymar. He showed his quality, his audacity and he scored a goal in his debut. Alexis scored a type of goal that gets the fans out of their seats. It looked as though he didn’t have too much room to shoot, but he resolved the play in spectacular fashion."
Tito's mosaic at Camp Nou | FC Barcelona
The mosaic, with over 98,000 pieces, featured the Blaugrana and senyera colours and have a message of support for Barça's former manager.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti unhappy his side didn't get a penalty against Barcelona | Sky Sports
Referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco waved play on after Ronaldo tumbled under the Argentinian's challenge, to the fury of Ancelotti and the Real substitutes. "Naturally the penalty was very clear for me. I think everyone saw it, the only person that didn't see it was the referee," Ancelotti said in the post-match press conference.
Celta hammer Malaga | Sky Sports Football
Alex Lopez got the opener and fellow midfielder Augusto Fernandez doubled the lead before the break. Lopez bagged his second in the 65th minute and further goals from Nolito and Charles Dias completed the rout against a Malaga side who have now lost three games in a row.
Levante pass Espanyol with win | Sky Sports Football
Nabil El Zhar scored in each half, either side of Papa Baba Diawara's first-half effort, as Joaquin Caparros' side made it three wins from the last four league games. Christian Stuani came closest to breaking the deadlock for Espanyol, but their fourth defeat from their last five sees them slip down a place into eighth ahead of Sunday's fixtures.
Iturra sinks Elche | ESPNFC.com
Elche's fine run came to an end as Manuel Iturra's first-half goal guided Granada to their first victory in three matches in the Primera Division. Iturra headed home Fran Rico's cross from the right in the 26th minute to snap a downward spiral which had seen them take five points from eight games.
More from Barca Blaugranes:
- Happy Birthday Barca Blaugranes!
- From The Mind of Xoel: Barça Defeats Madrid 2-1 in "El Clásico de Neymar"
- El Clasico: FC Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid: Match Review
- El Clasico: FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Live Game Thread
- FC Barcelona News: 26 October 2013; Tata Martino Names 20 in El Clasico Squad, Barça Reveal Samba Sponsorship Deal