Sunday 22 November 2015 09:32, UK
Real Madrid failed to produce the right level of commitment or desire required to win El Clasico, according to Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry.
Rafa Benitez's side were swept aside at the Santiago Bernabeu as a Luis Suarez brace and goals from Neymar and Andres Iniesta saw Barcelona claim the first El Clasico spoils of the season.
The result saw Luis Enrique's side open up a six-point gap over their nearest title rivals as well as ensuring Madrid coach Rafael Benitez remains in the spotlight.
But former Barcelona star Henry was quick to jump to the defence of Benitez, insisting the blame for Saturday's result lies solely with the Real players.
"This type of game is not about the tactics," he told Sky Sports. "At one point you need to bring the desire and the right commitment on the field and the right intensity.
"It wasn't there at all. You can't play a Clasico like that. People are going to talk about Benitez and the tactics. The tactics come along when both teams' desire and commitment is there and the game is tight.
"Then the boss will have to trigger one, two or three things to see who's going to be the best boss. But if your team goes out there without the right desire or commitment it becomes really difficult for the coach.
"I'm not trying to find any excuses for Benitez but first and foremost you need to bring the desire on the field.
"You saw a team today on one side and on the other side you see a group of players playing for themselves and not being a team at the moment."
"It was a collective thing. At the end of the day he's [Benitez] going to maybe take the blame. They ultimately failed as a team today. They didn't play well."
Barca's dominant display sealed their 10th Clasico victory over Real in previous 15 meetings.
And Henry, who enjoyed a trophy-laden three-year spell at the Camp Nou, was full of praise for Barca's pressing display, although he admitted it made for painful watching for Madrid fans.
"At one point I was looking at it and thinking 'they need to stop the game'. It's too much," he added. "I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, and if you love football you're going to enjoy that.
"But one thing I want to mention about Barcelona: people always talk about when they have the ball and how they pass the ball well.
"But they put pressure, the back line is backing up the midfielders and striker to put pressure. The distances are right between the players. They never give up, they help each other.
"You even saw Busquets in 91st minute making a foul. It could have been 4-1 but no, 4-0. The discipline and intensity is key for that team.
"When you see the likes of Suarez working hard, Neymar working hard, Iniesta working hard, it speaks volumes to the other guys to be better. We don't emphasise enough how Barca is good in those type of situations."
