It is four months since Luis Suarez sunk his teeth into Giorgio Chiellini on Saturday evening at the Bernabeu he re-emerged dimmed his spirit. But good though he is, he cannot yet conjure miracles.
He may have added intensity, ferocity and guile to an already formidable Barcelona attack – but as a collective unit they do not have the tools to stop Cristiano and Co at present.
Luis Suarez is tackled during a frustrating El Clasico for Barcelona's new striker as Real Madrid win at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring during the El Clasico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday evening
Lionel Messi (right) looks frustrated during the El Clasico match as Real Madrid's Ronaldo (left) beat his Barcelona opponent on Saturday
Messi struggled in the match and failed to score this chance against Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas on Saturday evening at the Bernabeu
Messi couldn't get a goal past Real goalkeeper Casillas but his counterpart Ronaldo managed to score from the penalty spot
Real Madrid were welcomed to the match by a huge crowd of fans outside the Bernabeu ahead of their win over rivals Barcelona
Neymar gave Barcelona the lead after just four minutes with Suarez providing the assist at the Bernabeu
Neymar and Messi celebrate Barcelona taking the lead against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
Barcelona held the lead until the 35th minute after Neymar's early goal in the El Clasico tie against Real Madrid
Neymar celebrates his goal against Real Madrid but Barcelona could not hold on to their lead in the La Liga clash
Ronaldo looks frustrated after Real Madrid go 1-0 down but the former Manchester United player soon got his own goal
Even Messi seemed unnerved, crashing into Kroos and earning a yellow card, the first of four Barca would accumulate in that first half.
Ronaldo was predictably at the heart of their best efforts, crossing for Benzema, whose header crashed off the bar and whose strike from rebound blazed over.
This is a game so infused with attacking talent, with teams so inclined to get on the front foot, at times they appear to be setting new standards for what great football looks like.
But tough chances abounded, finishing didn’t always match the required standard. Suarez again from the right hand wing sent in delicious cross and Messi, impossibly, from six yards out, missed. Neymar, similarly, mis-kicked from four yards out. Pepe make a crucial intervention, heading away as Suarez lurked to score.
The former Liverpool man truly is a phenomenon. His four-month ban had seemingly not dimmed his aggression or ferocity. Here was the familiar figure of last year’s Premier League, darting back and forth, a blur of motion and action in Barca’s attack.
Ronaldo takes his penalty in the 35th minute to bring Real Madrid level in the El Clasico tie against Barcelona on Saturday
Ronaldo celebrates in typical style at the Bernabeu as the former Manchester United star equalises against Barcelona
Ronaldo goes to his usual celebration after scoring against Barcelona to bring the teams level before half-time on Saturday evening
Real Madrid had to re-establish their grip on the game and they did so through right back Marcelo driving into the penalty area on 34 minutes.
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