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“Whenever I emerge victorious they are unable to say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously remarked, however on this occasion he didn’t win and they were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, yeah, they were going to meet him off the pitch; they told him talk is cheap. And that was just the players: there was more from the preachers in their pulpits, individuals who never lose.

Just before this epic clash, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness back in his hometown suggested that Real Madrid rob and complain, according to reports. He also offered a reminder that on his previous visit he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana braces, a glint in his gaze and a right foot was unexpected he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and this was now. Moreover, an adult currently, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. It was clear, they told him so.

Bellingham scores derby decisive goal as the Madrid club pull clear of Barcelona

When the match conclusion went on an intense, intense 262nd clásico that felt a little like old times, the Barcelona winger walked towards Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Carvajal made the classic jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging following with everything that happened in the 105 minutes that went before, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once appeared footballers all around, racing back and forth of sight and converging, security pulling people apart. Amidst the melee, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the offer to continue this down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him saying to someone as well they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to intervene with his countryman, the defender also present. “It was our youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni posted: “They rejoice in our losses like our winning days are over. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid were defeated in the clásico Spanish Cup final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown following the end, ice cubes being thrown. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. In four encounters, Madrid were defeated four times, league, cup and Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona. Their defense allowed four, 5, three and four. However there remains the future and it turned out Tchouaméni proved correct.

Only once had Barcelona previously secured 5 clásicos in a row, Pep Guardiola’s historic streak ending with that 5-0 against Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s perfect record in charge, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points ahead in first place of the table.

What It Means

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. The celebration reflected this, team members dancing together. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium more vocal and more edgy compared to on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. The coach echoed this. Asked if this was a relief, or existed a mental block around big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he acknowledged that this was “not just a win, but our recent history and what it means for the squad; the boys needed the experience of winning a big game.”

Last season they failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they were defeated: Lille, Milan, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, Valencia and Arsenal all beat them. There wasn’t one victory versus a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti departed and succeeded by Alonso but it continued. The team won several victories at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization developing, an idea, however then came PSG.

Current Campaign

That is part of the prior year, Alonso said. But the new campaign, his term, began with six wins in a row until city rivals came and put five past them. It was all well and good beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Pamplona side but what about elite opponents? Now at last they defeated one of them too. And not only that they triumphed, it was the manner they achieved it.

The opposition were missing out: backup keeper, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were all missing. Additionally the winger, an important player might now be appreciated by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward among them. On the bench were five players who hadn’t started a league game, two more who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are 19. And defender, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match in attack again. Even head coach was missing, Hansi Flick banned and stuck in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, was in the dugout three times: he has lost each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack well during the match. Of all comments directed to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing was from Vinícius mid-match, taunting the teenager by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for their defense, leakier than before with the defender leaving, defensive intensity on passers dropping and coordination lacking, Levante created multiple opportunities against them, another team 5, Andalusian side 5, Girona three. Previously they caught Kylian Mbappé in an offside position on multiple occasions in an open clásico; yet, lost amid losses, is the fact in the last meeting he got a hat-trick, Real Madrid consistently likely to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, especially. The match served as a start as well as an end in itself. “Going forward we will require a lot of our performance in this game,” Alonso said. The team had the ball in the net five times – three ruled out for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick