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“As long as I win they are unable to say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, but this time he didn’t win and they closed in for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, indeed, they were going to meet him off the pitch; the message was talk is cheap. This included only the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, men who always have opinions.

Just before this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear behind in his hometown implied that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and moan, or so it goes. He also provided a recollection that on his previous visit he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, an adult currently, exactly a year on, his side fell short. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets clásico decisive goal as the Madrid club open a gap of Barcelona

As the match conclusion sounded on an intense, heated 262nd clásico that was somewhat like past encounters, Lamine Yamal walked in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain made the classic jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging following with everything that happened in the 105 minutes that went before, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once there were players all around, racing back and forth of view and converging, police pulling individuals away from each other. Amidst the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue the dispute down the tunnel. Vinícius was being held back, him saying to someone else they talk to much. Raphinha was running to intervene with his compatriot, the defender also present. “The scene resembled our young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni commented.

Turning Point

In April, the French star had written: “They rejoice in our losses as if our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost a derby Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown following the end, projectiles flying. Two weeks later, they suffered another loss. In four clásicos, the team were defeated on each occasion, league, cup and Super Cup going to Barcelona. They had conceded four, 5, 3 and 4. But there is always the future and as it happened Tchouaméni proved correct.

On just one occasion had Barcelona previously secured five derbies consecutively, under Guardiola record-breaking run ending with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start in charge, beating Barcelona 2-1 to move five points ahead in first place of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. The celebration reflected this, team members celebrating together. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu more vocal and intense compared to on a clásico day in recent memory: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham described it. The coach said so too. Asked if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if there had been a mental block regarding big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he acknowledged that this was “not just three points, but our recent history and what it means for the squad; the boys required the experience of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign they failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they were defeated: Lille, Milan, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, city foes, Valencia and London club each defeated them. There wasn’t one victory versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager went and succeeded by Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won five games in the global tournament, signs of a structure emerging, an idea, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That defeat belongs to the prior year, the coach said. But the new campaign, his term, started with six wins consecutively before Atlético came and scored five past them. The results were positive defeating Oviedo, Mallorca and Pamplona side but what about elite opponents? Now at last they defeated a major rival as well. And it wasn’t just that Madrid triumphed, it was the way they won.

The opposition were missing unavailable: backup keeper, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. Additionally Raphinha, whose significance may at least be appreciated in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. Among substitutes they had five players who hadn’t started a league game, two more who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match up front again. Additionally head coach was absent, Flick suspended and stuck in a radio cabin. His assistant, Sorg, was on the touchline three times: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of Barcelona’s defensive setup, yet they did not attack effectively on Sunday. Among comments that were said to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most revealing came from the Brazilian during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” Regarding their defense, leakier compared to past with the defender departing, the pressure on passers dropping and coordination off, one opponent made six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Andalusian side 5, Catalan club three. Last year they trapped Kylian Mbappé in an offside position on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; however, overshadowed by the defeats, is the fact in their most recent match he got three goals, Real Madrid always likely to get opportunities currently.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. This was a start as well as an end in itself. “In the future we’re going to need much of our performance today,” the manager said. They put shots result in goals on five occasions – three ruled out due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick