El Clasico - Five Takeaways as Barcelona Comfortably Beat Real Madrid 3-0

Barcelona easily saw off the challenge of Real Madrid today evening at the Santiago Bernabeu with a flawless second half performance. Goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal gave the visitors an easy win, with Dani Carvajal getting sent off for the hosts.

This result puts Barcelona 14 points ahead of Real Madrid midway through the season, a sign that all is not well for Zinedine Zidane's men. Here, we take a look at five takeaways from the latest El Clasico.

5. Real Madrid's defensive deficiencies on display

Despite boasting one of the best midfields and attacks in world football, Real Madrid have always had a weakness in defence and today, it let them down badly. Despite dominating the first 45 minutes, Real Madrid fell behind early in the second half.

The sending off of Dani Carvajal was also preceded by some shoddy defending, something that Zinedine Zidane clearly needs to work on in the future if his side are to avoid defeats like these.

4. Barcelona defence intact

Barcelona have been defensively solid this season and once again, they reigned supreme in La Liga, with their defenders shutting down the Real Madrid attack. 

Forgotten man Thomas Vermaelen has been in good touch in recent weeks and in his Clasico debut, three years after his move to Barcelona, he was solid for most of the game alongside Gerard Pique.

3. Red mist descends on Madrid

Real Madrid have had three players sent off in their last four games against Barcelona, with right-back Dani Carvajal the latest miscreant. The Spain international, usually a steady presence in defence, decided to use his arm to block a goal-bound effort and was duly given his marching orders.

Messi scored the resultant penalty and put the game to bed, with Real Madrid struggling to even string a series of passes together with a man down.

2. Benzema and Ronaldo continue poor league form

Much of Real Madrid's struggles in the league this season has been attributed to the poor goal-scoring returns of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. The duo, who have scored plenty of goals in the past, have just six goals between them in La Liga this season.

As expected, both of their miserable form in front of goal continued, though Benzema went close with a first half effort. Benzema and Ronaldo must find their scoring boots if Real Madrid are to recover in the league.

1. Barcelona look unstoppable

Many have credited Ernesto Valverde for turning around Barcelona's fortunes and such praise has been very deserving. Having been second best during the first half, Valverde's troops came out for the second period full of intent and put in a magnificent display that simply blew away Real Madrid.

Barcelona are yet to lose since that defeat against Real Madrid in the Super Cup back in August and are looking unstoppable at the moment. Another treble may soon be on the cards for the Catalan giants.