El Clasico defeat for Sergio Ramos (left), celebrations for Barca (right)
El Clasico defeat for Sergio Ramos (left), celebrations for Barca (right)

Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid in El Clasico: Antonio Conte odds-on to replace Julen Lopetegui at the Bernabeu


Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 5-1 in what could be Real manager Julen Lopetegui's first and last experience of El Clasico, with Antonio Conte now odds-on to replace him.

Lopetegui was already under pressure before Sunday's eagerly-anticipated clash at the Nou Camp and his players did him no favours as they stumbled to a third straight LaLiga defeat for the first time since May 2009.

It leaves Real ninth in the table and seven points behind pacesetters Barcelona, who were without talisman Lionel Messi after he suffered a broken arm in last week's victory over Sevilla.

La Liga table: Click here to see the standings, as Barca go seven clear of Real


Next permanent Real Madrid manager (via Sky Bet)


The home side took the lead in the 11th minute when Ivan Rakitic's superb ball over the top found Jordi Alba in space on the left. He pulled the ball back into an ideal position for Philippe Coutinho to side-foot home from 10 yards.

Barca fans did not have to wait long before their side made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, although it took the use of the VAR before referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez pointed to the spot after initially waving away claims that Luis Suarez had been brought down by Raphael Varane.

Suarez, who had nipped in front of Varane to collect Alba's pass before being pushed to the ground, took the penalty himself and found the bottom corner despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Luis Suarez (bottom) celebrates his goal for Barcelona in El Clasico
Luis Suarez (bottom) celebrates his goal for Barcelona in El Clasico

Real had been restricted to long-range shots in the opening period but were back in the contest after just five minutes of the second half as Isco's cross from the byline caused panic in the home defence and Marcelo controlled the ball on his chest before stabbing home.

The visitors were almost level five minutes later when Luka Modric's shot slammed into a post and ran across goal to safety, while at the other end Suarez also hit the frame of the goal with an acrobatic volley as the game began to live up to its billing.

Real missed an excellent chance to equalise after 67 minutes when Karim Benzema headed over from six yards following a pinpoint cross from half-time substitute Lucas Vazquez.

And they were made to pay seven minutes later when Suarez showed Benzema how it should be done, heading home from more than twice the distance after being picked out by Sergi Roberto.

Roberto was again provider with eight minutes left, dispossessing Ramos and releasing Suarez to clip the ball over Courtois and complete his hat-trick, while there was still time for a fifth goal as Ousmane Dembele provided the perfect cross for fellow substitute Arturo Vidal to head home.

Defeat for Real piles the pressure on their manager, with former Chelsea boss Conte now a strong favourite to replace him. For many it's a case of when, rather than if, Lopetegui is sent on his way. The final blow could well have come courtesy of his side's fiercest rivals.

Goal clips

Coutinho (Barcelona) - 1-0

Suarez (Barcelona) - 2-0

Marcelo (Real Madrid) - 2-1

Suarez (Barcelona) - 3-1

Suarez (Barcelona) - 4-1

Vidal (Barcelona) - 5-1

El Clasico Opta statistics

Barcelona duo Luis Suarez (left) and Philippe Coutinho celebrate a goal in El Clasico
Barcelona duo Luis Suarez (left) and Philippe Coutinho celebrate a goal in El Clasico
  • Excluding Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez is the first Barcelona player to score a hat-trick in El Clasico in La Liga since Romário in 1994.
  • There were 30 passes made in the build-up to Philippe Coutinho’s goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid, the most of any goal in El Clasico in La Liga since at least 2005/06.
  • Real Madrid have conceded five goals in a competitive game for the first time since November 2010 against Barcelona in La Liga (5-0).
  • Barcelona are unbeaten in each of their last 42 league games at Camp Nou in (W34 D8), their longest such run since February 1977 (67).
  • Barcelona’s Luis Suárez has scored nine league goals against Real Madrid since his debut in the competition during the 2014/15 campaign, more than any other player in that time.
  • Barcelona have scored in each of their last 22 league games against Real Madrid in La Liga (53 goals total), equaling the best scoring record in El Clásico history in the competition - Real Madrid (22 games) between 1959 and 1969.
  • Real Madrid have failed to win in their last five La Liga games (D1 L4), their worst run in the competition since May 2009 under Juande Ramos (five defeats).
  • Marcelo Vieira has scored in three consecutive games for Real Madrid for the first time ever in all competitions (three goals).
  • Excluding Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez is the first Barcelona plater to score a penalty in El Clasico since Ronaldinho Gaucho in April 2006 (all competitions).
  • Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has conceded 19 goals against Barcelona in La Liga, more than against any other side in the competition.

Odds correct as of 1730 GMT on 28/10/18

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