Real Madrid came into the Camp Nou as leaders of La Liga, armed with their new galacticos the Spanish giants were off to their best league start in seventeen years; however, Barcelona successfully defended their home turf, reinforcing the fact that the Catalan side is still the best in Spain as they continue their quest to defend the triple this season.

The match, after being billed as the most important Clasico in some years, ended up being quite anticlimactic though Barcelona will gladly take their three points and place at the top of the table.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have hammered home the second-half volley that would eventually prove to be the winner but it was Carles Puyol who was most impressive. The Barca captain made numerous sliding tackles in the area to prevent shots on target throughout the game, disrupting many of the brilliant opportunities Madrid had created.

It seemed as if Madrid would strike first as imaginative movement from Kaka put the ball on the foot of Cristiano with only the keeper to beat. A fortunate Victor Valdes was able to redirect the Portuguese international’s shot for a corner while Puyol seemed to quell any other eminent Madrid opportunities, with two notable last ditch blocks on Marcelo.

Both teams seemed very effective on the counter-attack with Casillas and Valdez needing to intervene on various occasions yet it was the Catalan’s who took advantage of an unmarked man in the area and the Swedish international superbly finished with the winner. Madrid were solid throughout the match; however, it was Real’s inability to convert one of their many chances that ultimately doomed the visiting side.

The game showed improvement, while points would have been ideal; Madrid showed their quality is comparable to that of European/Spanish champions Barcelona. An important fact when one considers the 8-2 aggregate (including 6-2 at the Bernabeu) drubbing Barcelona handed Real last season en route to their historic run.

With Almeria coming to Madrid this Saturday, Los Blancos have the opportunity to get back on the right foot and continue putting pressure on the Catalans. The loss is demoralizing but the return of Ronaldo and improved form from the capital side leaves Madrid fans with something positive to take out of what would otherwise be a devastating loss.