Large sections of the home crowd in attendance at the meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona showcased their class on Sunday evening.
As much came upon the latter being dealt a concerning blow on the personnel front.
On the stroke of the interval in tonight’s edition of El Clásico, Frenkie de Jong went to ground following a full-blooded challenge between he and Real Madrid counterpart Federico Valverde.
The Dutchman came out much the worse, immediately reaching for his ankle, amid evident distress.
After being tended to by the visitors’ medical team, it quickly became clear that De Jong was in no fit state to continue, hauled off to be replaced by Pedri.
And, upon making his way from the field of play on a stretcher, the midfielder was the recipient of a heartwarming gesture.
Putting rivalries to one side for a moment, the home fans around the Santiago Bernabéu came together to provide a show of respect, through widespread applause for De Jong:
