Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid: Luis Suarez hat-trick surely draws curtain on Julen Lopetegui's tragic reign
Relive all the action from the Nou Camp
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Your support makes all the difference.Luis Suarez scored a thrilling hat-trick to surely draw the curtain on Julen Lopetegui's tragic reign as Barcelona ran rampant against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.
It was initially set to be somewhat of an anti-climactic encounter between the two sides with Lionel Messi out injured and Real Madrid still struggling in the post-Ronaldo era yet it proved anything but.
Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring for the home side after just twelve minutes when Jordi Alba cut in behind the laboured Nacho and his pull back alowed the former Liverpool midfielder to guide it into a near-empty net.
Moments later Suarez broke free in the box only to be bundled over by Raphael Varane and although the referee initially waved away the Uruguayan's penalty claim, upon reviewing the screen at pitchside under instruction from VAR officials, the penalty was awarded. Thibaut Courtois guessed correctly but Suarez's strike nestled right in the side netting and Barcelona were two goals up with just 30 mins played.
An increasingly despondent looking Lopetegui switched his system at half time to a three-at-the-back which initially bamboozled Barcelona's front men and after spurning a number of opportunities the ball broke to Marcelo on the edge of the box who chested it onto his weaker right foot before scything home.
Suddenly Madrid were haranguing Barcelona's defence as the Nou Camp became subdued and Luka Modric drilled a low shot against the outside of the post.
Yet, completely against the run of play, Ousmane Dembele dribbled at the Real Madrid defence before laying off to Sergi Roberto whose rifled cross was brilliantly glanced home by Suarez from near to the edge of the box.
From there on out things only became embarrassing for Lopetegui's side. Sergio Ramos fumbled the ball in his own-half leaving Suarez in acres of space to run at goal before deftly dinking it over Courtois. Substitute Arturo Vidal then added the fifth and final wound with a header from just six-yards after some fine trickery from Dembele.
The question is not so much as whether Julen Lopetegui will be sacked in the morning, but whether it may happen ever soooner?
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Goal 50' Marcelo: Julen Lopetegui reverted to a back-three at half-time and his braveness has immediately been rewarded. Isco's cross is cleared but only to Marcelo on the edge of the box who chests it before swiping home.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
54': And now Real Madrid have suddenly sparked to life. They're bombarding the Barca box with crosses and it fell at the feet of Modric whose effort hits the inside of the post bounces away.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
57': How Barca must be regretting their failure to capitalise on those added first-half opportunities. Isco scuffs a shot wide running onto the ball in the box and moments later he's over and appealing for a penalty. It's the total antithesis of the first-half, instead now all one-way in Madrid's favour.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
60': But against the run of play Suarez smashes it against the post! Rakitic lofted a ball over Marcelo's head and onto the toe of Roberto who played it back behind the Uruguayan. He leaned back and scythed at it athletically only to clatter against the post.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
63': And that near-miss has reignited Barcelona and Sergio Ramos is foced to make a last-minute block to deny Suarez whose half-volley was goalbound.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
67': Karim Benzema misses a glorious chance to put his side on even-keel. Lucas Vasquez broke down the right flank and crossed to the Frenchman who was in acres of space but with only Courtois to beat he blazed it over the bar.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
69': Valverde looks to add some defensive reinforcement to his side who have struggled to deal with Real Madrid's switch to three at the back and brings on Nelson Semedo in place of Rafinha.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
71': Real Madrid have significantly increased their forward-press in the last ten minutes or so and are forcing Barcelona are becoming a lot more profligate in possession.
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
73': And it's another change for the home side who take off goalscorer Philippe Coutinho and bring on Ousmane Dembele
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