Three takeaways from Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid

Bounceback game for Oriol Romeu

Immediately after I posted the three takeaways from the Arsenal game, I wondered if I’d been harsh in my critique of Romeu, after all, it was his first game with Barcelona in over a decade.

I thought the double-pivot of Frenkie de Jong and Oriol Romeu worked really well against Madrid, mainly because Romeu took Jude Bellingham out of the game.

Bellingham likes to make late runs into the box and link the play from an advanced position, Romeu largely closed down the area in front of Kounde and Garcia, which is where Bellingham wanted to work.

He broke up play well, was more decisive on the ball and just showed more willingness to operate as that midfielder distributor.

My criticism of Romeu against Arsenal was based on him not getting involved in the game enough, that old Sergio Busquets role isn’t one where you can hide. Last night he was all over the pitch, and his rotation with De Jong seemed to work with Barca always having an extra defender in the box.

There are still some things to work on, but last night was a much better game. He needs time to gel with his new teammates, and hopefully, by the time Getafe comes around, he’s on the same page.