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“As long as I emerge victorious they are unable to say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously remarked, but on this occasion he didn’t win and opponents were coming for him. They said he was overly vocal; they replied that, indeed, they would see him off the pitch; the message was talk is cheap. This included only the players: there was more from commentators in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who claims he left fear back in Mataró suggested that Real Madrid rob and complain, according to reports. Additionally, he offered a recollection that the last time he had been Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and his shooting ability they didn’t know he possessed – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. And, an adult currently, exactly a year on, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets clásico decisive goal as the Madrid club pull clear of Barcelona

When the final whistle sounded on a wild, intense 262nd Madrid-Barca match that was somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain made the old jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging following with everything that happened in the 105 minutes that went before, a match of 38 shots, multiple scores scored and three more ruled out; at that moment it became too much.

Suddenly appeared players all around, running in and out of view and converging, security pulling people away from each other. In the middle the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to continue this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was restrained, he telling another player else they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to intervene with his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we youth,” the midfielder said.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “Opponents celebrate our losses like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in the derby Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes greeting the end, projectiles being thrown. A fortnight afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, Madrid had lost four times, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed 4, five, three and 4. But there remains the future and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

On just one occasion had Barcelona previously won five derbies consecutively, under Guardiola historic streak concluding with the famous 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin ahead at the top in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad required this. Their post-match joy reflected this, players dancing in circles. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu more vocal and more edgy than on a clásico day for years: “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 psychosis around important matches, a fixation, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” Yet he acknowledged that the result represented “not just a win, but where we come from and what it means for the squad; the boys needed the experience of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they lost: Lille, Milan, Liverpool, Bilbao, Espanyol, Betis, Atlético, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve a single win versus a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti departed and succeeded by Alonso but it continued. The team won five games in the global tournament, indications of tactical organization developing, an idea, however they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of last season, the coach said. But the next season, his season, began with a winning streak consecutively until Atlético visited and put 5 against them. The results were positive defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Now at last they defeated one of them as well. And it wasn’t just that Madrid triumphed, it was the way they won.

The opposition were missing out: backup keeper, Gavi, attacking midfielder, star striker and defender were all missing. So too Raphinha, an important player may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Others weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and young forward included. On the bench were five players who not begun in La Liga, others who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who finished the match up front again. Even head coach was absent, Hansi Flick banned and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, has been on the touchline three times: he has lost each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but their offense struggled effectively during the match. Of all comments that were said to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, maybe the most revealing was from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” Regarding their defense, more porous than before with Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on opponents dropping and the timing lacking, one opponent created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, Rayo 5, Sevilla 5, Catalan club three. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé offside eight times in a high-scoring game; yet, overshadowed by losses, was that in the last meeting he scored three goals, Real Madrid consistently positioned to get opportunities now.

Key Moments

With this approach, especially. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “In the future we will require a lot of what we did today,” Alonso said. They put the ball in the net on five occasions – three efforts ruled out for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick