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“As long as I win they can’t say a word,” the young star previously stated, but this time he came up short and opponents closed in for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; they replied that, yeah, they were going to see him outside; they told him talk is cheap. This included only the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, individuals who never lose.

On the eve the clásico, the teenager who claims he left fear back in his hometown suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and complain, according to reports. Additionally, he offered a recollection that on his previous visit he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and this was now. Moreover, an adult now, exactly a year on, his side fell short. He knew, they told him so.

Bellingham nets derby winner as Real Madrid open a gap of their rivals

As the final whistle went on an intense, heated 262nd clásico that was a little like past encounters, Lamine Yamal walked in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Rather than accepting it, Carvajal did the old talking gesture. The match was hard enough following with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of 38 shots, three goals scored and additional efforts ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

Suddenly appeared players everywhere, racing back and forth of sight and converging, security separating individuals apart. Amidst the melee, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the offer to continue the dispute down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, he saying to another player as well they talk to much. Raphinha was running to intervene with his compatriot, the defender also present. “It was when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni commented.

Shift in Momentum

In April, Tchouaméni had written: “They rejoice in our defeats as if our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid had just lost a derby Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, ice cubes being thrown. A fortnight afterwards, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, the team had lost on each occasion, league, cup and Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona. They had conceded four, 5, three and 4. But there remains tomorrow and as it happened he proved correct.

Only once had Barcelona previously secured 5 clásicos in a row, under Guardiola record-breaking run concluding with that 5-0 against José Mourinho’s team, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s perfect record in charge, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points clear at the top of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed this. Their post-match joy reflected this, players celebrating in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu louder and intense than on a clásico day for years: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham described it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked whether the win represented a relief, or there had been a psychosis regarding important matches, a fixation, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that this was “not just three points, but our recent history and its importance for the squad; the boys needed the experience of securing a victory in a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign they failed to secure a win any. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: Lille, Milan, Liverpool, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, Atlético, Valencia and Arsenal all beat them. They did not achieve one victory against a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti went and succeeded by Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid secured five games at the Club World Cup, indications of a structure emerging, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That belongs to the prior year, the coach stated. But the new campaign, his term, started with six wins in a row before Atlético came and scored 5 against them. It was all well and good defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Finally they had beaten a major rival too. Moreover it wasn’t just that Madrid won, but also the way they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing unavailable: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were absent. Additionally Raphinha, an important player may at least be fully recognised by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward included. On the bench they had five players who hadn’t started a league game, two more who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it in attack once more. Even head coach was missing, Flick suspended and located in a commentary box. His assistant, his assistant, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack well on Sunday. Of all comments that were said to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, maybe the most telling was from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting Yamal by saying: “Your play is backwards passes.” Regarding that backline, more porous than before after the defender leaving, defensive intensity on passers decreasing and coordination lacking, one opponent made six clear chances against them, Rayo 5, Andalusian side five, Catalan club three. Last year they trapped the French forward in an offside position on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by losses, was that in their most recent match he scored three goals, Madrid always positioned to create chances now.

Key Moments

With this approach, especially. The match served as a start as well as an end in itself. “In the future we’re going to need much of what we did in this game,” the manager said. The team had shots in the net on five occasions – three efforts ruled out due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick