Clasico demolition vindicates Barcelona, shifts doubts to Real Madrid

Clasico that was supposed to mean very little, in the end, meant an awful lot as Barcelona gave a resounding answer to questions about their revival and instead left Real Madrid shrouded in doubt. Most believed there was no result on Sunday that could derail Madrid's march to the La Liga title but even that feels less certain now. A defeat like this, 4-0 at home, and against Barcelona, was perhaps the only kind that might prompt a collapse.

In that regard, Madrid will be relieved, not only that Barca are still points 12 points adrift, albeit with a game in hand still to play, but that a two-week international break gives them some breathing space, time to stabilise and recover. It will allow Karim Benzema time to recover too, with the Frenchman's absence undoubtedly a factor in Madrid's spinelessness against Barcelona, who took advantage to devastating effect. Barca's place in the top four is surely now secure, which will be celebrated by the club's accountants as much as anyone else.

For all the excitement and enthusiasm generated by Xavi's team on the pitch, the harsh reality is the club's financial ills will take longer to cure. Only last week La Liga set Barcelona's spending limit at -144 million euros. They will certainly believe second place is now a realistic target, particularly given Sevilla's stuttering form.

They might even look at Madrid's remaining fixtures to come against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano and wonder if the comeback could yet be on. "If there is the slightest option to take advantage, we will go for it," said Sergio Busquets. More likely, though, is the consequences of this result for both clubs will be longer-term and wider-reaching.