El Clásico showcases Madrid strength

Most of the talking around the first Clásico of the season may have been off the pitch but Real Madrid can rightly take plenty of positives from a performance that will give madridistas hope of title triumph this season. Los Blancos were the better side in a goalless draw that sees Barcelona remain top only on goal difference but leaves Madrid as the team in the ascendency as the season progresses. Gareth Bale had a goal chalked off by VAR for offside and Raphael Varane felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty in the first half. The hosts had their chances but it was Los Blancos who left the Camp Nou the happier of the two teams on a politically-charged day in Catalonia. Casemiro showed himself to be arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league and arguably in Europe, while Fede Valverde's stock continues to rise after strutting his stuff successfully on the big stage. Lionel Messi was thwarted throughout. The only thing missing for Madrid was a goal but with Eden Hazard expected to be back after Christmas things can only get better on that front. Madrid have now played the big guns of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla away from home and come away undefeated from all three, leaving plenty of reasons to be cheerful.