I hate you, but as a friend

It was a hard game, but played with a healthy amount of respect for the other side. The 'decaffeinated' Clasico, as it has come to be known, finished like a shot of espresso. A red card, controversial decisions, hard challenges and four goals - it finished with hugs and handshakes, a pat on the back and the calm after the storm. It has come to define the image of Spanish football. 

It wasn't long ago, with Guardiola and Mourinho in opposing dugouts, that this game went way beyond the boundaries of a sporting rivalry. It was played out in the press rooms, in the post-match interviews. It coil was wound in the preceding weeks until it all exploded out on the pitch. 

Insults, gestures and worse were thrown around. This includes the famous finger into the eye of Tita Vilanova. This new decade has been marked differently, Zinedine Zidane waiting after the game to find Andrea Iniesta and congratulate him on his Barcelona career. Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi sharing a hug and discussing the game after the final whistle came as Pique sought out Ronaldo to apologise for injuring him.

Much of this will stem from the continued presence of many of these players in their national teams, where the club rivalry is put aside and they are friends. It has been vital to help avoid the worst scenes that have been seen before, allowing them to spend time together and come to some sort of truce. 

A clear example of this comes from Pique and Ramos, the two who are usually most vocal about each other and their teams. They still continue to be themselves, but there is an underlying tone of respect and admiration for one another. They still hate each other, but as friends.