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“As long as I win they are unable to say a word,” the young star once stated, but on this occasion he didn’t win and they were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; they replied that, indeed, they were going to see him outside; the message was talk is cheap. This included only the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who says he left fear back in his hometown suggested that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a recollection that on his previous visit he had been Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana braces, a glint in his eye and his shooting ability was unexpected he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. Moreover, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. He knew, they told him so.

Jude Bellingham scores clásico decisive goal as the Madrid club open a gap of their rivals

As the match conclusion went on a wild, intense 262nd clásico that felt a little like past encounters, Lamine Yamal walked towards Dani Carvajal, hand out. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain made the classic jibber-jabber motion. The match was challenging keeping up with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores scored and three more ruled out; now it was too much.

Suddenly appeared footballers all around, running in and out of view and converging, security separating individuals apart. In the middle the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper was accepting the invitation to continue this down the tunnel. Vinícius was being held back, he saying to another player else they talk to much. Raphinha hurried to stop his countryman, the defender also present. “The scene resembled when we youth,” the midfielder commented.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “Opponents celebrate our defeats as if we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost a derby Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the final whistle, ice cubes being thrown. A fortnight later, they were beaten again. In four clásicos, Madrid were defeated four times, La Liga, cup and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. They had conceded 4, five, three and 4. But there remains the future and as it happened he was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side previously won five derbies in a row, under Guardiola record-breaking run concluding with the famous 5-0 against Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid brought to a close the coach’s perfect record in charge, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin clear at the top of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed this. Their post-match joy reflected this, team members dancing in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu louder and more edgy than for such matches for years: “amazing,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked whether the win represented a relief, or existed a psychosis around big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he acknowledged that the result represented “not just three points, and where we come from and its importance for the squad; the players required the experience of securing a victory in a big game.”

In the previous campaign they had not won any. On fourteen occasions they lost: French side, Milan, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Betis, city foes, Valencia and London club all beat them. There wasn’t one victory against a top-tier opponent. Carlo Ancelotti went and was replaced by Alonso but it continued. The team secured five games in the global tournament, indications of a structure developing, an idea, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat is part of the prior year, Alonso said. But the next season, under his guidance season, began with a winning streak consecutively until city rivals visited and scored five past them. The results were all well and good defeating Oviedo, Mallorca and Pamplona side but what about elite opponents? Now at last they had beaten a major rival too. Moreover it wasn’t just that they won, it was the way they won.

Barcelona had players out: backup keeper, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were absent. So too the winger, an important player might now be appreciated by his absence. Several players weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. Among substitutes were several individuals who hadn’t started a league game, two more who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are nineteen. Plus a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who ended it up front once more. Even head coach was absent, Hansi Flick suspended and stuck in a commentary box. His assistant, Sorg, has been in the dugout on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet their offense struggled well during the match. Among the things directed to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most telling was from the Brazilian during the game, mocking the teenager by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” Regarding their defense, more porous than before after Iñigo Martínez departing, defensive intensity on passers dropping and the timing lacking, Levante created six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Sevilla five, Girona 3. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé offside eight times in an open clásico; yet, lost amid losses, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid always positioned to get opportunities currently.

Key Moments

Playing like this, in particular. The match served as a beginning and also an end in itself. “In the future we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” the manager said. The team had shots result in goals on five occasions – three efforts disallowed due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick