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“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say anything,” the young star once remarked, but on this occasion he came up short and they closed in for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, indeed, they would meet him outside; they told him talk is cheap. And that was just the players: there was more from the preachers in their pulpits, men who always have opinions.

On the eve the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who claims he left fear behind in Mataró implied that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and moan, according to reports. Additionally, he provided a reminder that on his previous visit he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his gaze and his shooting ability was unexpected he possessed – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. And, more mature currently, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. It was clear, they told him so.

Bellingham scores clásico winner as Real Madrid pull clear of Barcelona

As the match conclusion sounded on an intense, heated latest clásico that was somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger walked towards Dani Carvajal, hand out. Rather than accepting it, Madrid’s captain made the old jibber-jabber gesture. The match was hard enough keeping up with everything that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, an encounter of 38 shots, three goals scored and three more ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once appeared players all around, running in and out of view and converging, police pulling people apart. In the middle the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to resume the dispute in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, he telling another player else they talk to much. Raphinha was running to stop his compatriot, the defender also present. “It was when we youth,” the midfielder commented.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “They celebrate our defeats like our winning days are over. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid had just lost a derby Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, emotional scenes following the end, projectiles flying. A fortnight afterwards, they were beaten again. In four encounters, Madrid were defeated four times, La Liga, cup and Super Cup going to their rivals. Their defense allowed 4, 5, 3 and four. But there is always tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

Only once had Barcelona previously won five clásicos consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking run ending with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended the coach’s perfect record as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points ahead in first place in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad required the victory. The celebration reflected this, team members dancing together. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu louder and intense than for such matches in recent memory: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso said so too. When questioned if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if there had been a mental block regarding important matches, a fixation, Xabi Alonso responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he did admit that the result represented “more than a win, and where we come from and its importance for the squad; the boys required that feeling of securing a victory in a big game.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win in such matches. Fourteen times they were defeated: Lille, Italian club, English team, Athletic, Espanyol, Betis, city foes, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve a single win versus a truly big side. The previous manager went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. The team won five games at the Club World Cup, indications of a structure emerging, an idea, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That belongs to last season, Alonso said. Yet the new campaign, under his guidance season, began with six wins consecutively before Atlético visited and put 5 past them. It was positive beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Osasuna however, against the big teams? Now at last they defeated a major rival as well. Moreover not only that Madrid won, but also the manner they achieved it.

The opposition had players unavailable: Joan García, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. So too Raphinha, whose significance might now be fully recognised in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. On the bench were five players who hadn’t started a league game, two more who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are 19. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match in attack again. Even head coach was missing, Hansi Flick banned and located in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, was on the touchline on three occasions: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of the team’s defensive setup, but their offense struggled effectively during the match. Of all the things directed to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, perhaps the most telling came from Vinícius during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” Regarding their defense, leakier compared to past after Iñigo Martínez departing, the pressure on passers dropping and coordination lacking, one opponent created six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Sevilla 5, Girona three. Last year they trapped the French forward in an offside position on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; however, lost amid losses, is the fact in their most recent match he scored a hat-trick, Real Madrid always positioned to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, especially. The match served as a start as well as an end in itself. “In the future we will require much of our performance in this game,” the manager said. The team had shots result in goals on five occasions – three efforts disallowed for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick