Celebrating a routine win is a habit amongst most modern footballers that is frowned upon but Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta can be forgiven after the midfielder posted a celebratory photo of a jubilant dressing room after La Blaugrana’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid on Saturday.
For not only did the Catalans get bragging rights over their eternal rivals, they opened up a nine-point lead in the process and have effectively written of Los Blancos’ hopes of defending the La Liga title.
Goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal gave Barcelona a priceless victory in Real’s backyard—The Santiago Bernabeu— with the hosts hamstrung by Dani Carvajal’s dismissal midway into the second-half.
Real have had a stellar 2017, in which they scooped five major trophies, much to the chagrin of Barcelona, who looked bereft of confidence at the start of the 2017-18 season but new manager Ernesto Valverde has remarkably turned things around.
Still unbeaten after 17 games played, Barcelona are sitting pretty at the top of the table with a tally of 45 points while second-placed Atletico Madrid trail them by nine points. Valencia, in third, are two points further behind the Rojiblancos while fourth-ranked Real have a haul of 31 points.
While Los Blancos have played a game less due to their involvement in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup, an 11-point lead seems insurmountable at this stage.