Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid hosted Barcelona on Sunday night for the third El Clasico of the season. Already sitting at the top of the table, Madrid were hoping to extend their lead to 15 points. However, Xavi's troops had other ideas.
The hosts were left embarrassed as they were dominated in a 4-0 loss. A brace from former Arsenal man Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and goals from Ferran Torres and Ronald Araujo capped off a brilliant team display.
German midfielder Toni Kroos was in the middle, next to usual partners, Casemeiro and Luka Modric, but was substituted at the break for Camavinga after he suffered a cut to his leg.
"I had a wound and they had to sew up the meat on my tibia with three stitches. I saw that I was bleeding, but I didn't really notice it."
Speaking on the 'Simply Mal Luppen' podcast, Kroos spoke about how he felt after being surrounded by Barcelona players whilst they were in 'doping control'.
"A 0-4 loss , a flesh wound and the night was completed in the 80th minute when the doctor arrived and said who had to go to doping control. Piqué and Jordi Alba were there too. No, we talked. Vinicius and I were the gang of losers. So I was very happy when I got out of there."
Real Madrid have been the frontrunners to secure the La Liga title this season. This loss will not knock them off balance in the pursuit of the title as they are still nine points clear of second-placed Sevilla.
El Clasico's fading charm
The El Clasico has always been a spectacle for any football fan. Seeing two of the world's biggest clubs, with the world's biggest players, go head-to-head, while fighting for the league title, is among sports' biggest spectacles.
However, in recent years it has been different. Barcelona have been a shadow of their former self since the departure of Pep Guardiola. They have not been able to showcase themselves. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have just been steady.
Barcelona haven't won a league title since the 2018-19 season, meaning this has now been their longest drought of a La Liga title since the 1993-94 campaign.
The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has also dulled down the event, giving non-Spanish football fans less reason to watch the clash.
TommyMueller
622
But Mr Toni Kroos have forgotten what he said back in January... That Barcelona is not Madrid’s and he don’t need to watch Barca match for them to play well and win... lol but u re feeling us now right😂😆😂
Mariosuarez2
553
Lol 😂 man is still feeling the effects of the damages from this Barca match I think Madrid needs to call a therapist for Toni kross We watched it on teli but only Toni kroos knows the terror he saw on that pitch playing against this Barca 🔥 I love kross because he is always sincere , am sure modric is secretly seeing his therapist behind media attention lol
Mudashlee
507
Barcelona the great of all time
steevojox
500
Oh, I thought kroos was going to complain about Auba's celebrations again...
RedNoSignal
265
Barca 4life
Aku-Abata
80
Aubameyang thinking of another style of celebration that will hurt Tony kroos more