Sergi Roberto's love affair with Clásicos

Sergi Roberto is a veteran of what are now 19 competitive games against Real Madrid, and at long last he has added a Clásico goal to his collection, pouncing onto the end of a rebound to net the equaliser on the stroke of half-time in Sunday's remarkable 2-1 victory.

Champions League debut

His first game against Real Madrid dates back to 27 April 2011. And it was a huge one, the semi-final of the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabéu, coming on right at the end as a substitute for David Villa on a night that a brace from Leo Messi put the Catalans on course for Wembley with a 2-0 win in enemy territory.

Roberto has played 18 Clásicos since then, and has a positive balance of ten wins to six defeats, including such memorable nights as the 4-0 win at the Bernabéu in 2016, the amazing last second Messi winner at the same ground in 2017 and the 5-1 crushing of Madrid at Camp Nou in 2018.

He had never scored in the famous fixture before, but did give six assists against Madrid, no fewer than five of them for Luis Suárez plus one for Ivan Rakitic to score the only goal at the Bernabéu in 2019.

More goals than ever

Including his first-ever Clásico goal, the Catalan has now scored four goals this season, his highest tally ever for the club, and as many as he had scored in the previous four seasons in total. Before Sunday, he had also contributed goals to the wins against Valladolid, Athletic Club and Cadiz, all at Spotify Camp Nou.