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“As long as I win they can’t say a word,” the young star once stated, but on this occasion he didn’t win and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, indeed, they were going to meet him outside; they told him words mean little. This included just the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he abandoned nervousness back in his hometown implied that the Madrid side rob and moan, or so it goes. He also provided a reminder that on his previous visit he had been Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a spark in his gaze and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and this was now. And, more mature now, exactly a year on, he was beaten back. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham nets clásico decisive goal as the Madrid club pull clear of their rivals

As the match conclusion sounded on a wild, intense 262nd clásico that felt a little like past encounters, the Barcelona winger walked in the direction of Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Carvajal made the old jibber-jabber motion. The match was challenging following with everything that happened in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores scored and additional efforts disallowed; now it was impossible.

Suddenly appeared footballers all around, racing back and forth of view and piling in, security pulling individuals away from each other. Amidst the melee, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the offer to continue this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was restrained, him telling someone as well they are too vocal. Raphinha hurried to intervene with his compatriot, the defender also present. “The scene resembled when we youth,” the midfielder said.

Turning Point

In April, Tchouaméni posted: “Opponents rejoice in our defeats as if our winning days are over. We’ll be back.” Madrid had just lost a derby Spanish Cup final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown greeting the end, projectiles flying. A fortnight later, they suffered another loss. Over four clásicos, Madrid were defeated on each occasion, La Liga, cup and Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona. They had conceded 4, 5, three and four. However there remains the future and it turned out he was right.

Only once have the Catalan side previously won 5 derbies in a row, Pep Guardiola’s historic run ending with the famous 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid ended the coach’s unbeaten start in charge, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move five points ahead at the top of the table.

What It Means

Madrid required the victory. The celebration said so, players celebrating in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu more vocal and more edgy than on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked if this was a weight off his shoulders, or existed a mental block around big games, a fixation, he shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he acknowledged that the result represented “not just three points, but where we come from and what it means to us; the boys needed that feeling of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they lost: Lille, Milan, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, Atlético, eastern side and Arsenal all beat them. They did not achieve a single win versus a truly big side. The previous manager went and was replaced by Alonso but it continued. Madrid secured several victories at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization developing, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That belongs to the prior year, the coach said. Yet the new campaign, under his guidance season, began with a winning streak consecutively before Atlético came and put five against them. It was positive beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna however, against the big teams? Finally they defeated one of them too. Moreover it wasn’t just that they won, but also the manner they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing out: backup keeper, Gavi, attacking midfielder, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. So too the winger, an important player might now be appreciated in absentia. Others were not at 100%, defender and young forward included. On the bench they had five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who featured just one time; teenagers, four 18-year-olds and two who are 19. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match in attack again. Even their manager was missing, Flick suspended and stuck in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, was in the dugout three times: he suffered defeats in each one.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of the team’s vulnerable high line, but their offense struggled well on Sunday. Of all comments directed at the young player that day, maybe the most telling came from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting Yamal by telling him: “You’re all retreating balls.” Regarding their defense, more porous compared to past after the defender departing, the pressure on opponents decreasing and coordination lacking, one opponent created six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Andalusian side 5, Girona three. Previously they trapped the French forward in an offside position on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; however, overshadowed by the defeats, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid consistently likely to get opportunities currently.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” Alonso commented. They put the ball in the net on five occasions – three ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick