Betfair Ultimate XI: The best of El Clasico

Karim Benzema was Saturday's El Clasico Man of the Match

We bring you the Betfair Ultimate XI, courtesy of the guys at Whoscored.com, from Saturday's top of the table clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga...

It was Real Madrid that came out on top in the Clasico this weekend, doing so having come from behind after an early strike from Neymar.

The focus ahead of kick-off concentrated on Luis Enrique's decision to hand Luis Suarez a first start for Barcelona at the earliest opportunity possible; the focus at the final whistle on Carlo Ancelotti's megastars' rapidly improving understanding.

It was the hosts that, after a sluggish start, began to create more chances and get a foothold in the game and by the second half Real Madrid were by far the more threatening side and dominant position-by-position across the pitch.

WhoScored.com show just how Ancelotti's men got the better of a Barcelona side that were not only unbeaten in La Liga going into the game but hadn't conceded a single goal.

Iker Casillas has come in for plenty of criticism for some time now but earned a rating of 7.20 from WhoScored courtesy of four saves to outscore his opposite number Claudio Bravo's three. Among them an impressive point-blank stop from Lionel Messi and a flying save to deny a thunderous Jeremy Mathieu effort either side of half-time.

At right-back Dani Carvajal's superb showing was marred only by a couple of fouls late on, one of which earned a booking. Nevertheless the Spaniard produced four tackles, three interceptions and created two chances for teammates to outscore Dani Alves - one of the more impressive performers for the visitors - with a rating of 7.47.

Another of Barca's stronger players on the day, Javier Mascherano, also missed out after an impressive showing from Real Madrid's centre-back pairing after a relatively shaky start. Sergio Ramos (7.41) made three tackles and completed 96.2% of his pass attempts while Pepe completed seven clearances, along with netting the decisive second goal for the home side with an excellent header, albeit an unmarked one, from a corner.

Marcelo completes the backline having offered a constant attacking outlet from the back throughout, ensuring compatriot Dani Alves was unable to do the same for the visitors. The left-back secured a solid score of 7.19 from WhoScored.com having created more chances than any other player on the pitch (four).

In a crucial midfield battle it was again the home side's pairing that proved the more effective, with Iniesta and Xavi unable to pick passes at will in the attacking third. That much was down in no small part to Luka Modric, whose work rate was outstanding, completing three tackles and three interceptions to break up play, allowing partner Toni Kroos to instigate Real Madrid's counter attacks from deep, attempting more passes than any teammate (58).

James Rodriguez is certainly settling into his lavish surroundings and earns a place in this XI due to the threat he carried on the break, particularly in the second half. The Colombian picked up the assist for the hosts third but also helped out the impressive Carvajal on the right to produce three tackles.

The one Madrid player failing to make the XI is Isco, despite flashes of real quality from the youngster. Lining up on the left of a front three, Neymar's early influence, netting an excellent opener, ensures there is one Barcelona representative, with the Brazilian earning a WhoScored rating of 7.76 having fired off five shots in total and created two chances.

Despite a somewhat uncharacteristically wasteful match in the final third, Cristiano Ronaldo's importance to carrying Madrid forward on the counter remained pivotal. He played an important role in a superb third on the break and scored from the spot to continue a scoring run of 11 games at the start of the season for his club.

Earning WhoScored.com's man of the match rating with a score of 8.96 was Karim Benzema, who so often plays in the shadow of the aforementioned Portuguese. The Frenchman killed off the game with an excellent finish in the second half having hit the woodwork early in the first but the forward also played his part in linking up Madrid's attacking forays, creating three chances and completing 92.6% of his pass attempts.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.