Player Focus: Neymar Overshadows Bale in First Clásico of the Season

The one game that grasps the attention of the neutral football fan by the nether regions and refuses to let go took place at the weekend as Real Madrid travelled to Barcelona in the latest edition of El Clásico. While Los Blancos were offered the opportunity to move level on points with their La Liga rivals, much of the focus was on the derby debuts of Neymar and Gareth Bale ahead of kick off in the eagerly anticipated fixture.

The pairing had moved to Barcelona and Real respectively over the summer in deals that significantly raised the fixation on football's biggest match up. With the two players starting, the limelight was focused primarily on Neymar and Bale as fans were keen to see how both players would fair in one of the biggest rivalries in Europe.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, it was the Brazilian who excelled in the encounter, netting the opener and providing the assist for Alexis Sanchez's sublime winner late on as Barcelona secured a richly deserved 2-1 win over Real, with Jese netting a late consolation for Carlo Ancelotti's side at the Camp Nou. While much has been written about Bale's record breaking move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu over the summer, it's fair to say the Welshman is yet to live up to expectations thus far.

Injury has hampered his start to life in the Spanish capital, with Bale playing just 182 of the 900 minutes of La Liga football this term as the Wales international struggles to shake off a number of niggling muscular problems. His lack of playing time this season was clear in the defeat to the Blaugrana on Saturday, with the 24-year old appearing off the pace before his withdrawal on the hour mark for Karim Benzema.

This was encapsulated by his WhoScored.com rating prior to his substitution. In his time on the pitch, the former Tottenham Hotspur ace scored only a 6.3 as he struggled to get into the game. His 2 shots, both of which were off target, fell well below his average with Spurs last season (5 per game) as the attacker was continuously shut down by the Barcelona players with minimal ease. Even when he did manage to find space, the efforts in question weren't of the quality that he exhibited during his final year at White Hart Lane.

With no key passes executed and a pass success of just 57%, the lowest of every outfield starter in the encounter, it was little shock to see Bale score so low prior to his substitution. There were many that deliberated as to why the attacker had started in the first place as a result of his injury problems and his abject display in Real’s defeat only highlighted the sentiments of those that questioned his inclusion.

Focusing on Neymar, the difference between his and Bale’s performance couldn’t have been more apparent. First and foremost, the Brazilian was awarded the WhoScored.com man of the match as a result of his rating (8.3). His opener and assist for Sanchez’s winner contributed significantly to his figure and many weren’t surprised to see the attacker depart from the Camp Nou pitch to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Neymar had 3 shots on goal in total, with all 3 on target, perhaps all the more impressive when taking into consideration that in total Barcelona had 5 shots on target in the win. This continues his notable efficiency in front of goal, with the summer arrival boasting a shot accuracy of 47.8% in La Liga this season.

His 2 key passes and 2 successful dribbles further accentuated his noteworthy performance in the victory, although many have argued that this was expected when up against Daniel Carvajal in the win. The young Spaniard is renowned for his attacking ability from deep and this played into the hands of Neymar, who was gifted the extra space by the Real Madrid defence and ensured they were made to pay.

While it’s a tad unfair to look too much into the performance of Bale such has been his lack of first-team involvement since signing for Real and the underwhelming start Ancelotti has made since taking over, the same can’t be said of Neymar. The former Santos star was tipped to struggle to adjust to his new surroundings by many upon signing, while there were suggestions that head coach Tata would be unable to accommodate him and Lionel Messi in the Barcelona starting XI such is their comparative approach to the game.

However, as witnessed by many at the weekend and across the season thus far, that certainly isn’t the case. His average rating currently sits at an impressive 8.01 and only Messi (8.6) has scored higher for La Liga's champions, and he’s evidently hit the ground running upon his arrival.

The same can’t be said of Bale, but with a return to match fitness and an extended run of games in the first-team, the Welshman is expected to hit the heights that warranted Real paying £85m for him in the summer. Unfortunately for him and his team, however, it was Neymar and Barcelona that emerged victorious at the Camp Nou in the first Clásico of the season, and deservedly so.

Do you think Neymar outperformed Gareth Bale in El Clásico? Let us know in the comments below