Luis Suarez had the worst game of his Barcelona career while Raphael Varane was outstanding

Andy West 09:20 17/08/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Real Madrid shrugged off the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo to cruise past rivals Barcelona 2-0 in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup to cap a 5-1 aggregate win.

    Here, Andy West picks out two good players, and two bad.

    TWO GOOD

    MATEO KOVACIC

    Madrid’s midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro was a fundamental part of last season’s double triumph and it’s impossible to imagine that formula not being repeated again this year.

    But unsung Mateo Kovacic showed that Zidane can call upon an outstanding alternative whenever the need presents itself, with the Croatian delivering a swashbuckling, all-action display in the centre of the park.

    Kovacic did superbly to break up Barca’s attacking play with his energetic defensive work, and also showed great quality on the ball to complete 92.5 percent of his passes before departing, to a standing ovation from the appreciative Bernabeu crowd, after an hour. Kovacic might not be a regular starter, but he is still an important part of Zidane’s jigsaw.

    Messi is chased down by Kovacic

    Messi is chased down by Kovacic

    RAPHAEL VARANE

    This was the first Clasico in 24 games in which Barca failed to score, and dominant Madrid centre back Raphael Varane was a large part of the reason why.

    The Frenchman was class personified as he easily shackled the floundering Luis Suarez, timing his several interventions to perfection and dispensing with any lingering danger in a calm and composed manner.

    There was a time when it was unclear whether Varane would ever fulfil his obvious potential and become an unquestioned starter for Los Blancos, but those days are now becoming a distant memory and he looks set to succeed Pepe in the heart of Madrid’s defence for many years to come.

    TWO BAD

    LUIS SUAREZ

    With one of their ‘MSN’ superstar strike trio departed, the last thing Barca need is for another to lose his touch. But Luis Suarez is currently way below top form and last night produced one of his worst games in a Barca shirt.

    The Uruguayan’s first touch was terrible, his body language was awful, and his finishing was diabolical on the few occasions he gained a sight of goal – notably when he could only send a free header against the outside of the post with the goal gaping after Lionel Messi’s shot was saved.

    To make things worse, Suarez spent much of the night hobbling and finished the game holding his right knee, apparently in a considerable amount of pain. With Suarez unfit and playing like this, Messi really is carrying the attack on his own.

    Suarez will have further tests to determine the extent of his knee injury

    Suarez will have further tests to determine the extent of his knee injury

    ANDRE GOMES

    With a place in midfield to be filled and a new manager to impress, Andre Gomes had a golden chance to start turning around his to-date dismal Barcelona career. To say he didn’t take that opportunity would be an understatement.

    Gomes was awful, allowing the game to pass him by and doing nothing to dispel the notion that he is mentally soft and lacking the intensity to succeed at a major club like Barca.

    The Portuguese midfielder had far fewer touches of the ball than any other starter – even Gerard Pique, who was replaced through injury early in the second half – before being dragged off with 20 minutes remaining, having made precisely no positive impact upon the action. Whether he should ever play for the club again is a matter of debate.

    Varane battles for the ball with Gomes

    Varane battles for the ball with Gomes

    Recommended