Marcelo and Dani Carvajal Provide Platform for Real Madrid Win over Barcelona

Real Madrid full-backs Dani Carvajal and Marcelo were among the team’s most impressive performers in their 3-1 Clasico victory at home to Barcelona on Saturday evening.

Madrid went behind in the early exchanges when Neymar received a Luis Suarez pass on the edge of the area, cut inside both Carvajal and Pepe and produced a lovely low finish into the corner of the net.

It was the first and last time the Brazilian forward would get the better of Carvajal.

Thereafter, he matched Neymar stride for stride, made a couple of superb sliding challenges inside the area and was quick in getting out to block Jeremy Mathieu’s crosses whenever the Barcelona left-back got into advanced positions on the outside of him.

Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar were all, at times, able to position themselves well to receive the ball behind the Madrid midfield during the first half. Carvajal spotted that danger and stepped forward to pressure their receipt of the ball whenever possible.

Carvajal was one of just two Madrid academy graduates—Iker Casillas being the other—in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI. The importance he attributes to the fixture was clear in the commitment and energy he provided throughout the 90 minutes.

He was highly proactive, always seeking to cut out danger at source.

And it was not only in his defensive work that he impressed. He also looked to drive forward with the ball whenever he won possession. Early in the second half he set up James Rodriguez for an effort on goal after pressing well to win the ball back inside the attacking half.

Across the other side of the Madrid defence, Marcelo made less of a defensive contribution but consistently got himself in good positions high up the pitch.

Suarez showed little inclination to track back, and with Xavi rather than the more energetic Ivan Rakitic selected on the right of Barcelona’s midfield three, Marcelo had plenty of space to move into.

He produced a sharp delivery into the area that just evaded his teammates early on and continued to get into threatening positions throughout the first half.

It was his low cross from the left that Gerard Pique blocked with his hand to concede the penalty from which Cristiano Ronaldo levelled the scores at one apiece on 35 minutes. Rodriguez shouldered the ball wide from another quality delivery late in the half.

In the second period, once Madrid’s lead had been established, Marcelo was regularly one of players rushing forward on the counter-attack to take advantage of the holes left by their visitors.

He only narrowly under-hit a couple of attempted passes that would have provided shooting opportunities to Rodriguez, then Ronaldo.

Madrid’s midfielders and forwards came to the fore in the period following the third goal, scored by Karim Benzema on 62 minutes. They put together a number of slickly constructed counter-attacks that created further chances to add to their advantage and controlled the tempo of the match with some neat spells of possession.

Isco and James Rodriguez were highly impressive once more, strengthening the belief that Gareth Bale may struggle to regain his place in the side once he returns from injury.

Isco was given a standing ovation when he was substituted for Asier Illarramendi late on.

But before Madrid established their lead and turned on the style, it was Carvajal and Marcelo who were among their strongest performers in an excellent team display. They provided the platform for Madrid’s eventual success.

Marcelo's FourFourTwo StatsZone dashboard makes for particularly impressive viewing.

Courtesy of FourFourTwo StatsZone

Carvajal led the team in successful tackles and interceptions and also made three successful clearances, as per WhoScored.

Having got the better of Alvaro Arbeloa in the contest to be Madrid's regular right-back, Carvajal looks set for a long and successful future at the Bernabeu.

Marcelo has recently been linked with a move away from the club, as per Anthony Chapman of the Express, but despite some flaws still edges out Fabio Coentrao as their best current option for the left of the defence.

On Saturday, both full-backs showed that they are more than capable of making a big contribution for Real Madrid on the grandest domestic stage.