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“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say a word,” the young star previously stated, however on this occasion he didn’t win and opponents closed in for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; they replied that, indeed, they would meet him outside; the message was words mean little. And that was only the players: there was more from commentators in media platforms, individuals who never lose.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear behind in Mataró implied that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and complain, according to reports. He also offered a recollection that on his previous visit he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and this was now. And, an adult currently, exactly a year on, his side fell short. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham scores clásico winner as the Madrid club open a gap of their rivals

As the final whistle went on a wild, intense 262nd clásico that was a little like old times, the Barcelona winger walked towards Dani Carvajal, hand out. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain made the old talking motion. The match was hard enough following with everything that happened in over an hour and forty-five that went before, a match of 38 shots, three goals recorded and three more disallowed; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once appeared footballers all around, running back and forth of view and piling in, security pulling people away from each other. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to continue the dispute in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, he saying to another player else they talk to much. Raphinha was running to stop his compatriot, the defender also present. “The scene resembled when we young,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni posted: “They celebrate our losses like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost a clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown following the end, ice cubes flying. A fortnight afterwards, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, Madrid were defeated on each occasion, league, cup and Spanish Super Cup going to Barcelona. They had conceded 4, five, 3 and four. But there is always tomorrow and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

On just one occasion had Barcelona ever won 5 derbies in a row, under Guardiola record-breaking streak ending with that 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s perfect record in charge, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points ahead at the top of the table.

What It Means

The Madrid squad had needed this. Their post-match joy said so, team members celebrating together. So did the noise, the Bernabéu louder and more edgy than on a clásico day for years: “amazing,” the English midfielder called it. The coach echoed this. When questioned if this was a relief, if there had been a mental block regarding important matches, an obsession, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that the result represented “more than a win, and where we come from and what it means to us; the players required that feeling of securing a victory in a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign they failed to secure a win in such matches. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: Lille, Italian club, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, Atlético, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win against a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti went and was replaced by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won five games at the Club World Cup, indications of a structure developing, an idea, but they faced PSG.

Season Progress

That defeat is part of the prior year, Alonso stated. But the next season, under his guidance season, started with a winning streak consecutively before city rivals visited and scored five against them. The results were all well and good defeating newly promoted, Mallorca and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Finally they had beaten a major rival too. And not only that Madrid triumphed, but also the manner they achieved it.

The opposition had players unavailable: backup keeper, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were all missing. Additionally the winger, an important player might now be fully recognised by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. Among substitutes they had several individuals who not begun in La Liga, two more who had started just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are nineteen. And a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who finished the match in attack once more. Additionally their manager was absent, Flick banned and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, has been in the dugout on three occasions: he suffered defeats in each one.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet their offense struggled well on Sunday. Of all the things directed to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, perhaps the most telling came from Vinícius during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “Your play is backwards passes.” Regarding their defense, leakier than before with Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on opponents decreasing and the timing off, one opponent made six clear chances versus Barcelona, another team 5, Andalusian side 5, Girona 3. Previously they caught the French forward in an offside position on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, lost amid the defeats, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid always likely to get opportunities now.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, in particular. This was a start as well as an end in itself. “In the future we will require a lot of what we did today,” the manager said. They put shots result in goals on five occasions – three disallowed for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick