Barcelona completed the double over Real Madrid after winning the second leg of the highly anticipated El Clasico on Saturday night. Barcelona, who trounced English side Arsenal in mid-week via four goals from Leo Messi, showed again why they are considered the best in the world this weekend at the Bernabeu.

The win epitomized the 09-10 La Liga season in many ways with lapses in Madrid’s defensive form allowing Barcelona their chances, possession domination from the Catalans and the inability to finish from Madrid’s high-powered attack. Seven games remain in the campaign but falling three points behind and needing four to overtake the '08-'09 Champions this late in the year may prove to be too much for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Real Madrid’s perfect home record and twelve straight league victories was emphatically brought to an end as Pep Guardiola’s men were allowed played their game on Los Blancos’ home turf. Dictating the flow of the game with precision passing, Barcelona may not have provided the majority of threats on goal but when given the opportunity, finished with professional poise. Los Blancos, on the other hand, were unable to convert any of their positive chances into quality attempts on target. Ronaldo played well on the wing but it often seemed if he was the only one on the pitch, unable to find help from any of his team-mates.

The introduction of Raul provided a brief spark for the home side, his goal only disallowed after a deplorable attempt of possession by Karim Benzema. Gonzalo Higuain, Madrid’s leading scorer, was absent for most of the game as well; however, Leo Messi continued his stellar form, scoring a little after the half an hour mark. The Argentine’s quickness is only beaten by his composure on the ball. His calm finish to give the Catalan side the lead was the type of quality absent from Pellegrini’s men. Ten minutes into the second half, Pedro would slot home a brilliant ball from Xavi that set him one-on-one with Casillas to double the visitor’s lead. Although Barcelona dominated possession Madrid were not short of opportunities, it was their poor finishing that ultimately cost them in Saturday’s Clasico.

Sergio Ramos retrieves the ball after Leo Messi gave the visitors the lead ©GettyImages

The league is still technically within reach but Madrid’s performance on Saturday night has greatly hindered the chance at any trophies finding their way to the Bernabeu this season. Ronaldo was quick to reassure the Real Madrid faithful that they can still win the league; however, Spanish publication Marca has already begun the debate over who will be Pellegrini’s successor. The Madrid oriented publication announcing that, save ‘a miracle in the league,’ the Chilean will not be at the helm for the 2010-2011 campaign. I maintain the same opinion that firing the coach will not solve any problems.

Pellegrini inherited a team full of newcomers and has kept them on pace with an experienced, championship winning Barcelona team. Granted there have been some greatly disappointing moments (both Cup exits), Madrid seem to be finding their niche and a change in management will only hinder the team at the onset of the next year. Coupled with rumours that Madrid’s front office are ready for another summer spending spree with names like Ribery, David Villa and Cesc filling the pages of the Spanish press, Madrid are again wrongly looking for the quick-fix solution.

Madrid are finally coming together and finding their form, despite Saturday’s loss. If Perez were wise he would keep the team as is and give Pellegrini another chance at some trophies. Clearly the tactics of sacking coaches and buying the top market players has not brought any success to the Bernabeu the past few years. Why not change the mentality and try and win with consistency? Barcelona win because they play as a team, not individuals. It is a formula that clearly works, so, when will it be realized by the capital side giants?

All Madrid can do for the remaining seven games is focus on themselves, strive for a positive result from each fixture, and hope that Barcelona falter along the way; however, making up the four points necessary for the league title may be too tall an order for Cristiano Ronaldo and company.