4 lessons from the El Clásico

The El Clásico happened yesterday with Barcelona bagging three points after goals from Jeremy Mathieu and Luis Suarez gave the Catalans a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet for Real Madrid as be pounced on a Karim Benzema back heel assist to equalized just before the stroke of first half.

These are five lessons we learnt from the El Clásico of last night.

1. The La Liga battle is far from over.

Barcelona opened up a four-point gap over rivals Real Madrid with yesternight's victory and with just 10 matches to play, many have already handed the Catalans the 2014/2015 league titles.

But hold on for a minute; with Barcelona's performance yesterday, especially in the first half, there are no guarantees that they will win their remaining fixtures.

Just after conceding the equalizer to a well worked Cristiano Ronaldo goal, Barcelona were in dire need of the referee's whistle which signaled an end to the first half.

As Real Madrid controlled the game and spurned a series of chances, Barcelona looked bereft of ideas while Lionel Messi was unispiring.

With a tricky trip to Celta Vigo who defeated them at the Nou Camp earlier in the season and potential difficult games at Sevilla and Espanyol.

2. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are equals

After his mesmerizing display against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, Messi was heralded as the 'best footballer ever' and many opined that he is far better than rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

But yesterday's game suggests othgerwise. While Cristiano Ronaldo was the end of everything good about Real Madrid, Lionel Messi was lost in the first half and average in the second half.

Ronaldo had his goal in the game and was constantly a torn in the flesh of the Barca defense.

3.  Barcelona need Ivan Rakitic for big games

While the absence of Sergio Busquets was the main talking point before the game, Ivan Rakitic showed Lius Enrique who really needs for his big games.

Rakitic's seamless introduction to life at Barcelona since moving from Sevilla last year has proved as remarkable as it has under-stated.

His tenacity, pressing and marking throughout yesterday's game showed that he is Bacelona's go-to man in the big games.

Lius Enrique chose a double pivot of Mascherano and Rakitic who played ahead of Andres Iniesta in the three man midfeild.

But it was the Croatian who was at the ehart of everything Barcelona. In his box to box role, Rakitic made justified his start and also made a claim for future starts.

4. Luka Modric is Real Madrid's most important player after Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo bangs in the goals for Real Madrid and also often gets the plaudit. But the quiet and little Luka Modric deserve exactly the same plaudit as Ronaldo.

The Highly skilled midfield's absence with a long term injury coincided with Real Madrid's loss of form, but thats no mere coincidence.

Along with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric ran the strings as Real Madrid enjoyed 22 consecutive wins in 2014.

In yesterdays game, Modric showed what Real Madrid have been missing with  his all round play.

The razor-sharp anticipation that disturbed Barca's hypnotic rhythm and turned the midfield battle in Real's favour was a reminder of what he has to offer to Real Madrid.