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“As long as I win they can’t say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously remarked, however this time he came up short and opponents closed in for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; came the response that, yeah, they would meet him off the pitch; they told him words mean little. This included just the players: there was more from commentators in their pulpits, individuals who never lose.

Just before this epic clash, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness back in Mataró implied that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and complain, according to reports. He also offered a reminder that the last time he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a spark in his gaze and a right foot was unexpected he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. Moreover, an adult currently, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets derby winner as the Madrid club open a gap of their rivals

As the match conclusion went on an intense, heated 262nd clásico that was somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger walked towards Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Madrid’s captain did the old jibber-jabber gesture. The match was challenging keeping up with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals scored and additional efforts ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

Suddenly there were players all around, racing in and out of sight and converging, police separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him saying to another player as well they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger hurried to stop his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we youth,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

In April, the French star had written: “Opponents rejoice in our defeats as if we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Madrid had just lost the clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the end, projectiles being thrown. A fortnight later, they were beaten again. Over four clásicos, Madrid had lost four times, league, Copa del Rey and Super Cup won by Barcelona. Their defense allowed four, five, three and four. But there is always tomorrow and as it happened Tchouaméni proved correct.

Only once have the Catalan side previously won five clásicos consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic run concluding with the famous 5-0 against Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended the coach’s perfect record in charge, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go five points clear at the top in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. The celebration reflected this, players dancing together. Likewise, the noise, their stadium louder and more edgy than on a clásico day in recent memory: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. When questioned if this was a relief, or there had been a psychosis regarding big games, a fixation, he shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he acknowledged that this was “more than a win, and our recent history and what it means to us; the players required that feeling of securing a victory in a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid had not won any. Fourteen times they were defeated: Lille, Italian club, English team, Bilbao, Espanyol, Betis, Atlético, Valencia and Arsenal all beat them. There wasn’t one victory versus a truly big side. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team won several victories at the Club World Cup, signs of a structure emerging, a game plan, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat belongs to last season, Alonso stated. But the next season, his season, began with a winning streak in a row before Atlético came and put five past them. It was all well and good beating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Now at last they defeated a major rival as well. And not only that Madrid triumphed, but also the manner they achieved it.

Barcelona had players out: Joan García, Gavi, attacking midfielder, star striker and defender were absent. So too the winger, an important player may at least be appreciated by his absence. Several players weren’t fully fit, defender and Lamine Yamal among them. Among substitutes they had several individuals who hadn’t started in La Liga, two more who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. And a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who ended it in attack once more. Even head coach was absent, Hansi Flick suspended and located in a commentary box. His assistant, his assistant, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he suffered defeats in all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack effectively on Sunday. Of all the things that were said at the young player on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing was from Vinícius mid-match, mocking the teenager by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for their defense, more porous than before with Iñigo Martínez departing, defensive intensity on opponents decreasing and the timing lacking, Levante made six clear chances against them, another team 5, Sevilla 5, Girona three. Last year they caught the French forward offside eight times in a high-scoring game; yet, lost amid the defeats, was that in the last meeting he scored three goals, Real Madrid consistently positioned to create chances currently.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “In the future we will require much of what we did in this game,” the manager said. They put shots in the net on five occasions – three efforts disallowed due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick