Madrid the 'real' deal as Zidane gets the measure of Barcelona

Real Madrid failed to get the victory they deserved against Barcelona yet they were the moral winners of a tight and tense contest that ended in a stalemate.

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The first goalless draw in 17 years between two of the world's most famous clubs might disappoint those who judge the quality of matches by the number of goals scored or encourage the sceptics to sneer at an often volatile clash that occasionally is more 'cinico' than 'clasico'.

Yet La Liga's finest provided enough all-round quality at the Camp Nou to suggest that this high-profile confrontation is still a huge spectacle and the biggest domestic game on the planet.

It was not a classic by any means yet it was a titanic tussle that was peppered with moments of collective and individual brilliance that you do not see every week.

Zinedine Zidane's Madrilenos will be kicking themselves for not taking the three points from a Catalonian cauldron that was baying for blood.

Madrid were strong and impressive and did not commit the defensive mistakes that cost them many goals this season.

They were a constant threat from a midfield platform where Brazil's Casemiro caught the eye with a superlative all-action performance.

Madrid strikers Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale were also in fine form too and on one occasion in the second half the Welshman looked like he had opened the scoring at the end of a sweeping move but the goal was disallowed after fullback Ferland Mendy had strayed marginally offside.

Madrid also had justifiable claims for a penalty when Raphael Varane was upended by Ivan Rakitic but the referee waved play on.

Barcelona cannot have any complaints about the result. They were generally unable to play their free-flowing possession game largely because Zidane came up with a solid game plan when the home team had the ball.

Barca's transition left a lot to be desired mainly because they were given little time or space to weave their famed patterns and it was only when Lionel Messi got into action with his range of amazing passes did the team look like creating something.

Unfortunately, striker Luis Suarez had a night to forget and his telepathy with the Argentinian master that has produced so many special moments the last few years was conspicuous by its absence.

Barca consequently were rather toothless and the few attacking opportunities they created up front were dealt with competently by central defenders Sergio Ramos and Varane who did nothing to diminish his reputation as one of the world's classiest defenders.

The match was rescheduled from October after it was deemed a security risk due to the prospect of protests from Catalonia's independence movement.

There was no trouble on this occasion but the atmosphere at the ground left no doubt that, as always, this is not merely a sporting event but one that is steeped in cultural and political differences and governed by a level of mistrust and intrigue not many of us neutrals can fully comprehend.

More than a club, Barca's motto says. Well, the Clasico is more than a game, isn't it?

As it stands Barca and Madrid are leading La Liga with 36 points from 17 matches although Ernesto Valverde's side have a lightly better goal difference.

Sevilla are third five pointe behind.

Barca will end the year with a home match against Alaves while Madrid entertain Athletic Bilbao before the winter break.

It will be only 12 days but it should give both teams enough time to recharge their batteries for the battles that lie ahead on the domestic and European fronts.

Barca and Madrid are still involved in the UEFA Champions League although both teams this season have struggled to reproduce the kind of football they are famous for.

Barca did just enough to win their group and will play Napoli while Madrid finished second and are up against Manchester City.

The round of 16 ties will take place in February.

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