PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG was on fire as Barcelona destroyed rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico.
The former Arsenal striker, who was stripped of the captaincy and discarded by Mikel Arteta, scored twice as Barca ran riot at the Bernabeu.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the hero as Barcelona ran riot at the Nou CampCredit: AFPBarça coach Xavi has restored Barcelona’s fear factorCredit: Getty
Both teams were coming into the game in top form.
Real Madrid had won five straight matches in all competitions, including disposing of PSG in the Champions League.
The visitors were unbeaten in 12 games, and on a run that had seen them leap into fourth spot in LaLiga.
And their resurgence under legend Xavi – who cut his teeth in management in Qatar Stars League – doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Sky Bet bonus: Get £20 in FREE BETS when you bet £5 on horse racing
He has lost just four times in all competitions since returning to his beloved club last November and appears to have brought their fear-factor back.
New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been pivotal since joining in January – scoring five times in six league games. And he would make it seven in seven with a blistering display on Sunday night.
But it was Real Madrid who had the first effort of the night – when Federico Valverde called Marc-Andre ter Stegen into action, who produced a fine save to tip the Uruguayan’s effort around the post after smart work by Vinicius Jr out wide.
Aubameyang was lucky not to have seen red after a nasty studs up tackle on Toni Kroos’ shin left the German writhing in agony.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Replays showed his tackle was late and dangerous, which could’ve ended up with the Gabon striker facing an early bath.
Then it was the turn of Thibaut Courtois to play the role of hero – pulling off two vital saves – first from Aubameyang after he was fed by Ferran Torres, second from Ousmane Dembele who tried his luck.
Torres thought he had broken the deadlock after 18 minutes when his shot was whiskers wide – beating Courtois at the left post.
Ironically, it was Aubameyang who broke the deadlock with a header from six-yards in the 29th minute.
France forward Dembele skinned Nacho before delivering a cross that the ex-Gunner glanced home. One he wouldn’t have got if he hadn’t been on the pitch.
Real Madrid’s defence looked shaky every time the Catalans attacked, and Aubameyang forced another save from the busy Courtois.
Barcelona added to their tally in the 38th minute through Ronald Araujo, who out-jumped David Alaba to head in Dembele’s corner.
Real’s beleaguered stars could have expected a rocket from boss Carlo Ancelotti at half-time. But whatever was said seemingly had no effect.
Torres missed an absolute sitter within a minute of the second half kicking off – firing wide after he was put through by Aubameyang.
However, a minute later Torres made up for it by netting Barça’s third.
Aubameyang celebrates his second goal of the gameCredit: EPASomersault of glory; Aubemayang terrorised Los Blancos in El ClasicoCredit: Getty
A poor pass by Alaba was intercepted by Frenkie de Jong who played the ball in to Aubameyang. His flick found the former Man City man and he made no mistake in slamming the ball past Courtois.
And they weren’t done there either.
Smelling blood, Barcelona would get a fourth. A long pass by Gerard Pique found Torres. The 22-year-old knocked a pass to Aubameyang to beautifully chip the ball over the rushing Courtois.
Initially, it was flagged for offside, however a VAR review deemed Alaba had kept Torres onside and the goal stood.
Barcelona continued to run Real ragged, with Courtois again keeping Torres out and Dembele causing Eder Militao all sorts of problems in the penalty area.
Memphis Depay, who came on for Aubameyang who received a standing ovation from his Nou Camp audience, then forced Courtious into a parried save in the 77th minute.
Ex-Man City star Ferran Torres celebrates scoring Barcelona’s thirdCredit: APReal Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois was kept busy all nightCredit: APRonald Araujo applauds the fans after the final whistleCredit: AP
But four was enough for Barcelona, enough to earn bragging rights Monday morning, and claim superiority in El Clasico for the time being.
Los Blancos may be nine points clear at the top, but Barcelona are a club in ascendancy under Xavi.
Karim Benzema and Co will be wondering what hit them.
