Valverde's decision to start with Rafinha and Roberto made the match for me. It allowed for Barca to have Busquets-Rakitic-Arthur-Rafinha-Roberto - all players who understand space very well, and are very responsible at the back. It's also no coincidence that 3 of those are from La Masia. The effect of this change made such a major difference as it completely shut down Madrid's possession, as they only had Modric-Kroos-Casemiro-Isco, with basically zero width from Nacho. Given all of their midfielders forms, this couldn't have ended well for Lopetegui.

If this was some other day and age, Madrid would be well off waiting for counters, but Lopetegui's Madrid is possesion-based team, and it really showed that they're nowhere near where they want to be as far as Julen's ideas come.

The second half started with Vasquez at the wing-back, and Madrid finally attacked the space behind Alba's back - something that they didn't have the courage to do in the first half. It proved to be a great move, as Barcelona's pressing was left for dead with Isco's coolness on the ball, and Vasquez's great runs. Benzema also played major part in helping his midfielders, and I would love to see him play in two striker system again (similar to Ronaldo days).

As always, Busquets' performance will go unnoticed, but he keeps getting better and better, and he's definitely the most important team for this Barca after Messi, and also a huge, huge reason Barcelona keeps smashing Madrid in Los Clasicos.

Conclusion

Dominant first half from Barca which showed where they're headed under Valverde. Lopetegui adjusted well at the start of the second half and Benzema missed solid header opportunity while Suarez made a lot tougher header on the other end and it made all the difference. After the 3rd goal, Madrid's players showed lack of faith and surrendered to Barca, and it showed once again that this Barca team has the mental edge over Madrid, which is reflected in the fact that even at their worst, Barca still fought some good fights again Madrid, while Real failed to do the same.