It really looks like Barcelona might be back after thrashing Real Madrid in Clasico humbling - The Warm-Up

MONDAY'S BIG STORIES Barca are back Ad/> El Clasico is many things, not least a quite important game of football, but what it is above all else is a narrative machine. Two teams go in, and stories come out: power consolidates or shifts; the future pales or turns blue and dark red. Well, last night Madrid were wearing black and Barcelona a very fetching Catalonia-meets-Thunderbirds option.

That's another thing this fixture is good for. Selling special edition, anniversary collection shirts. LigaAubameyang grabs brace as Barcelona demolish Real in Clasico13 HOURS AGO We're guessing that Madrid won't be getting too many takers, for last night black was the colour of total surrender.

Barcelona were four goals up inside the hour and probably could have had seven or eight over the course of the evening. Perhaps it was even mildly disappointing that they didn't get that significant fifth, and so we didn't get another Gerard Pique five-fingered salute. Yet somehow Madrid giving it a bit of a go for the last half hour felt, in context, even more insulting.

As if Barca were a tired parent letting a toddler clout them in the legs for a bit. It's the only way they'll nap, bless them. Madrid, playing at home and holding a 15-point lead at kick-off, got shredded by a Barcelona side that were quicker with the ball and smarter without it.

In the first half Barcelona scored twice could have had more; Madrid managed a dive. Just the one dive, mind, and it wasn't a very good one. Then, as the second half began, the world waited to see just how Madrid, proud Madrid, league-leading Madrid would respond to this insult.

And respond they didn't. Barcelona made a chance, missed it, made another chance and scored it. 3-0 in 47 minutes, and done.