Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar flat in Clasico loss

Despite Gerard Pique scoring the opener shortly after the half-time break, Barcelona were defeated by a 10-men Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in round 31 of La Liga. The Blaugrana, who enjoyed 61 percent of possession, created 14 goalscoring chances and attempted 10 shots, three of them on target.

The visitors started the game by closing their lines in their own defensive third and not taking any unnecessary risks unless given a clear chance to counterattack. Barca succeeded in recovering control quickly whenever dispossessed and piled constant pressure in the visitors' defensive third in the opening stages. However, the Catalans did not always succeed in ensuring the ball flowed as fluently as necessary.

With the Catalans controlling the game but frustratingly failing to put the visitors under enough pressure, it was not surprising that the scoreboard reflected a dull 0-0 at half-time. In what was certainly a frustrating turn of events, Barca's bizarre lack of ambition after the break resulted in Los Blancosbecoming increasingly dangerous on the counter as the game developed. As it couldn't be any different, Madrid's forwards took advantage of the many spaces they were granted and walked away with the three points under their belt.

Why the Messi vs Ronaldo debate must stop immediately

Barcelona star Lionel Messi says that he does not want to be compared to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, or anyone else -- and understandably so.

La Pulga, now 28 years of age, is the world's best player having picked up the 2015 Ballon d'Or ahead of Ronaldo and his Barcelona teammate Neymar. As a result, the humble Argentinean is not keen to get involved in the debate over who is the best and has repeatedly insisted that he prefers to focus on his own game.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: The fans' view of the two star men

What do Barca fans think of Ronaldo and Madrid of Messi?

The Camp Nou faithful love to hate Ronaldo. His haughty attitude, tendency to prioritise individual to collective success and, perhaps more importantly, undeniable status as one of the world's best-ever goal scorers make him the perfect target for Cules' jeering. The clear antithesis of Messi, the Portuguese's attitude could not be further from what Catalans consider the model professional. Ronaldo's insistence on shutting up the crowd whenever he scores a goal in the Catalan capital is a clear indication that the love between both sides is mutual, which comes as no surprise.

Fortunately, there have been many highlights to chose from, but one memory stands head and shoulders above the rest: 19-year-old Messi putting three goals past Iker Casillas in the 2007 Clasico. Messi's passionate, magical hat trick will forever hold a special place in Barcelona hearts. It was the moment he stepped ahead of mentors Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o to take centre-stage in the biggest game in world football.

Does ruling Los Clásicos mean dominating La Liga?

It is supposed to be one game (or two, since it is home and away) above all the others. Games you can not lose, if you don't want to face humiliation, moquery or shame. Coaches, presidents, even fans emphasise on this main event inside La Liga season. Winning El Clásico is winning pride, sending a message to the rest of the table, and positionning as favourites for the title. Because Barça and Real Madrid have dominated Spanish football for years, and because the clashes between both clubs often take place at the top of the league. But what happens when you win both? When you defend your honor so well you win both home and away from home. Does that have a direct impact on the final result, at the end of this race of endurance? Or is it such a special moment of the season that even when struggling in mid-table, or at the bottom, it is still possible to get the victory, although it is anecdotal?

Here are some figures that put this titanic fight into perspective, and see if Barça beating Madrid means Barça lifting La Liga trophy.