By Victor Kanayo
Barcelona, Saturday, crushed rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in the first el clasico in the current season.
The defeat also inflicted the Spanish champions’ first La Liga defeat in over a year.
That was as Robert Lewandowski struck twice, before teenage winger Lamine Yamal and Raphinha completed the rout.
On the other, Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe had two goals ruled out for offside on a frustrating first clasico appearance for Los Blancos, who now trail league leaders Barcelona by six points.
France captain Mbappe who joined Real Madrid in the summer, was consistently outwitted by the visitors’ high defensive line to the chagrin of the exasperated Santiago Bernabeu crowd, whose mood darkened as Barcelona hit four second half goals.
Barcelona finished 10 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga last season, and they are putting their faith in mostly young players to bring success this term.
That approach is so far being being rewarded, with Hansi Flick’s team having won 10 and lost just one of their league games so far.
Yamal is arguably their brightest young star but there are others, with Casado and Balde, both 21, getting assists on Saturday evening.
Six players who started the game for Barcelona came through their famed youth academy, but guiding the youngsters from the front is the old-stager Lewandowski.
