It’s a Team Game...

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While Madrid made seven changes to their starting lineup following Tuesday night’s 3-1 win at Camp Nou, acting Barcelona head coach Jordi Roura opted for just three alterations from that heavy defeat, and one wonders whether that was the right call in view of what the Catalans’ priority should now be this season.

The priority should be getting through their Champions League last-16 tie with AC Milan, which Barca currently trail 2-0 from the first leg. Surely, this dead rubber of a fixture was the ideal opportunity for the visitors to test out the extent of their first-team squad with a view to key performers gaining rest ahead of the return showdown with the Rossoneri?

Madrid boss Mourinho was clearly thinking along the same lines in relation to his starting lineup. With the destination of this season’s Liga title having already been decided, the Champions League is his club’s No. 1 priority, which is way he didn't startCristiano Ronaldo—for only the second time this campaign—Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuain.

Despite all those changes, the home side still prevailed. In the first half, with Ronaldo’s absence, they proved their critics wrong by demonstrating they are far from a one-man team.