Top 5 Barcelona victories at the Santiago Bernabeu in the “Messi Era”

1. The one that started it all

Could the number one spot on this list be anything else?

It’s the one that started the dominance of Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. The season where Barcelona no longer played second fiddle to their Madrid counterparts.

The 2008-09 season was all about seeing what exactly Pep Guardiola could do. He was chosen by then president Joan Laporta to be the new manager ahead of the likes of Jose Mourinho.

This was still at a time where, psychologically, Madrid held the upper hand. But Guardiola’s side was coming in motivated knowing that if they won, then the league title was all but theirs. They needed a decisive victory to leave little doubt that they were the best team in Spain.

They got that win and then some.

Despite the lopsided scoreline in the end, Madrid actually scored first thanks to Gonzalo Higuain. Thierry Henry would make things even after a chipped pass from Lionel Messi inducing Sergio Ramos to a futile attempt at clearance.

Barcelona took a lead they would not relinquish thanks to a set-piece. Thierry Henry was fouled just outside the box on the left. Xavi Hernandez took the free-kick which found the head of captain Carles Puyol leaving nothing for Iker Casillas to do.

Messi got on the score sheet after Xavi dispossessed Lasanna Diarra as the Argentine was left unopposed to calmly tuck the ball past Casillas.

Madrid got one back in the second-half to pull them within one before Henry scored his second on the night after another sensational Xavi pass which left Henry with only the keeper to beat. Madrid were playing a high-line trying to get back in the game and it cost them.

By now Madrid were well and truly defeated. Any hopes of a comeback were completely deflated and the Catalans went for the kill.

Once again, Xavi danced around a pair of Madrid defenders who left an unmarked Messi for Xavi to find. Messi then toyed with Casillas by faking  shot before leaving the Spanish keeper on the ground as he tapped the ball into the back of the net.

Gerard Pique, who would become a thorn in their side, scored the sixth and final goal. Sameul Eto’o delivered a pass that was deflected by Fabio Cannavaro. Pique, having made the run, picked up the loose ball and instead of passing to a wide open Messi, surprised everyone, including Casillas, by taking the chance himself and scoring.

It was the exclamation point to a dominant performance that would shape the consistent success Barcelona have had at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In this particular season, it also meant the first step towards the club’s treble-winning campaign. It was the beginning of many things for Barcelona and a Clasico victory remembered fondly by the supporters.

Barcelona enter their next Bernabeu match two points up on their rival. A win would mean taking a sizable lead in the league race. Judging on past experience, when a league title is on the line and this match comes up on the schedule, Barcelona, more often than not, are able to handle their business.