Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid: Koeman outclassed on Clasico coaching debut

It was a Clasico that certainly didn't disappoint at Camp Nou, unless, of course, you are a Barcelona fan. A lightning fast start would prove impossible to maintain but it was Real Madrid that made the best fist of doing just that, coming out deserved 3-1 winners over an experimental Barcelona lineup.

Ronald Koeman made some big calls pre-match but his indecision in game, or at least reluctance to change a losing team, ultimately saw him fail his first Clasico test in the dugout.

Hit and miss from Barca's teenagers

The big calls from Ronald Koeman ahead of the campaign both came down the right hand flank where the decision to hand two teenagers their first Clasico action from the start was certainly an eye-catching one. Sergino Dest's inclusion ahead of Sergi Roberto at right-back wasn't a great surprise but the selection of 17-year-old Pedri ahead of the American on that flank was a gutsy one to say the least.

It was a decision that ensured Antoine Griezmann was left on the bench following a poor start to the league campaign, and a call that Zinedine Zidane's side certainly looked to exploit. The visitors unsurprisingly focused a large proportion of their attacking play down that flank and Pedri was understandably overwhelmed at times.

The youngster, who only made his first league start for the club last weekend, struggled to have any influence in the attacking third, without a shot or key pass to his name. It was no surprise that Barcelona lacked balance as a result, focusing just 25 per cent of their attacks down the right flank compared to 48 per cent down the left.

Defensively, meanwhile, he offered very little protection to Dest, who luckily for his teammate was up to the task. Indeed, the 19-year-old managed two tackles, completed five dribbles and 95 per cent of his passes in an excellent Clasico debut.

Have Barca stuck with Busquets too long?

At 32 years of age, Busquets is certainly a senior statesman in the Barcelona ranks nowadays and a player whose build has always made him look a little leggy is looking more and more so as time goes by. The sharpness of both body and mind is no longer there and he allowed Fede Valverde to run off him and score Real Madrid's early opener.

Indeed, his individual battle with the Uruguayan really highlighted Busquets flaws as he approaches the latter years of his career. Valverde was snapping into tackles prior to his second half substitution due to injury and while the Real Madrid man had a worse pass accuracy he was far more incisive with his attempts, while Busquets was at times lazy in both the invention and weight of distribution.

Koeman's persistence doesn't pay off

While many may praise the new Barcelona boss for the faith he showed in a cluster of young players, the Dutchman was so slow to make any changes to his lineup. Indeed, despite the struggles of Pedri, Coutinho and Busquets all game long, while it was those three that were eventually hooked, in minute 81 it was too little, too late.

As well as not giving the likes of Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Trincao enough time to make an impact, the reast of the lineup looked out on their feet by that time, including an out of sorts Lionel Messi.

Benzema's link up shines again

While the Frenchman may come away from the game slightly disappointed not to have got in on the act having had a glorious chance midway through the first half, it was a typically selfless and composed display. He registered the assist for Valverde's early goal, dropping deep and threading an inch perfect pass, and his link up play all game was faultless. Indeed, a 92 per cent pass accuracy is a figure one would usually associate with a deep lying midfielder and highlights Benzema's outstanding team play.