Wenger: Barcelona lacked courage, lost 1-2 to Real Madrid
Bellingham assisted Mbappe and scored the decisive goal before half-time; Wenger criticized Barcelona's lack of experience, Real Madrid led La Liga by 5 points.
Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in La Liga thanks to the duo Jude Bellingham – Kylian Mbappe shining in the first half. After the match, Arsene Wenger described this El Clasico as “adults vs. children”, emphasizing the difference in spirit, experience and tactical stability between the two teams.
Development: Bellingham - Mbappe decided in the first half
The match started at a high tempo, and Real Madrid were the ones to make the most of the moment. Jude Bellingham set up Kylian Mbappe to open the scoring, putting Barcelona on the run.
The home team fought back and equalized 1-1 thanks to a goal from Fermin Lopez in the 38th minute, giving hope of getting back into the game. However, before the break, Bellingham once again spoke up when he scored, sealing a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid in the first 45 minutes.
After the break, Barcelona had more possession of the ball but were not able to break through Real Madrid's defense.
Tactical Analysis: Real Madrid's Experience and Organization
Wenger rated Real Madrid superior in spirit and composure in important moments. “For example, Real Madrid’s defence today was stronger than Barcelona’s,” he said, pointing to the defensive foundation that allowed the visitors to stand firm under pressure.
On the offensive front, according to Wenger, Real Madrid always felt like they could score more. On the contrary, Barcelona were significantly reduced in firepower without Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, leaving them without a fulcrum in attack to convert possession into clear-cut chances.
Defensive inexperience is also a minus for Barcelona. Wenger stressed that the Catalan team “lacks leadership” at the back after the departure of Inigo Martinez, and the goal conceded from Mbappe was proof of immaturity in handling the situation.
The pivotal moment
- Bellingham's assist for Mbappe to open the scoring set the game on a positive trajectory for Real Madrid.
- Fermin Lopez's equalizer in the 38th minute was not enough to turn the game around.
- Bellingham scored before the break, turning the second half into a display of Real Madrid's advantage management.
Statistics and highlights
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Score | Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid |
| Goal scorer | Barcelona: Fermin Lopez (38'); Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham |
| Battle situation | Real Madrid controlled better in the first half; Barcelona kept the ball more in the second half but lacked innovation |
| Distance on the rankings | Real Madrid leads Barcelona by 5 points |
Reaction: Wenger and his post-match perspective
Arsene Wenger was not happy with the way Barcelona handled the pressure: “The defense from Mbappe's goal showed Barcelona's lack of maturity and experience... When you want to have big matches, how you handle the important moments of the match is crucial.”
He also highlighted the difference in attacking personnel: “Madrid looked like they could score more, while Barcelona looked short of firepower without Lewandowski and Raphinha.”
On Real Madrid's side, Wenger praised coach Xabi Alonso, emphasizing his tactical presence that helped the team maintain stability and composure at sensitive times.
Impact: Top of the table for Real Madrid, question mark for Barcelona
The victory helped Real Madrid continue to lead the La Liga rankings with a gap of 5 points over Barcelona. Los Blancos affirmed their advantage in experience and ability to decide in big battles.
For Barcelona, the defeat raised questions about their playing identity and ability to cope with the pressure of lacking leaders on the pitch. Although they had more possession after the break, they lacked a sharp enough attacking plan to break the game.
Next fixtures: Real Madrid face Valencia, while Barcelona return home to host Elche.
