La Liga: Stressful loss for Barca against Real Madrid at home ground

Barça's faces first El Clásico defeat of the season at the Camp nou stadium, landing an early blow in La Liga's title race

The first El Clásico of the season ends with a victory over Madrid guided by Federico Valverde, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric. Barça fought hard but came up short and had a direct impact on the team with the controversial penalty.

In the first half, Ansu Fati had equalised for the home team Barca, but it wasn't enough as Real climbed to the top of the La Liga 2020-21 standings following the fifth minute, Federico Valverde opening score three minutes later. Following that, Sergio Ramos' penalty goal and a late Luka Modric goal at the 90th minute finished off Barcelona.

In the 63rd minute, Ramos was awarded the second half spot-kick after a VAR analysis, when Barca's Clement Lenglet tugged his shirt as the pair contested a corner and he fell dramatically; Luka Modric added a third Madrid goal late on.

In last week's home defeat to Cadiz, Ramos was replaced and missed the loss against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League as the Spanish champions drifted into a collapse ahead of their first encounter this season with Barca.

In the first half, Courtois and Neto both made incredible saves, especially Neto's amazing double stop from Toni Kroos and another from Ramos, making the second save from the double save the best of the match due to his split second response.

Victory brought Madrid's La Liga champions back to the top of the standings with 13 points out of six games, while Barca, who only scored one point in their last three outings in the league, scored seven points out of five games in 10th place

Ronald Koemans decision to start off with the three younsters, Fati, Pedri and Sergino Dest deserves credit. In particular, two of them were impressive.Especially Fati who's first oal for the team, makes him the younest oal scorer in history of El Classico.

"It was a really tough match. We had chances, they had chances and it's just too bad that we lost. It's my first El Clasico and I'm just pissed that we lost",

"They were maybe a little bit sharper in the chances.They finished it and we didn't. We have another game on Wednesday against Juventus and we have to win that one, 100 percent." said Barca defender Sergino Dest.

On Wednesday in the Champions League, Barcelona faces Juventus, without the suspended Gerard Pique.The loss represents where Barca is right now. They are an evolving team, bailing out older players and incorporating younger players.

Barca is now in the league without a three-point win and sitting six points back in the mid-table under the new coach, Ronald Koeman.