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“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, however on this occasion he didn’t win and they were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, indeed, they were going to see him outside; they told him talk is cheap. And that was only the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, individuals who never lose.

On the eve the clásico, the teenager who says he left fear back in his hometown suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. Additionally, he provided a recollection that on his previous visit he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and the present differed. And, an adult now, exactly a year on, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

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

As the final whistle went on a wild, intense 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt a little like old times, the Barcelona winger walked towards Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Madrid’s captain made the classic talking gesture. The match was challenging keeping up with everything that happened in over an hour and forty-five that went before, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals scored and three more ruled out; now it was impossible.

Suddenly appeared footballers everywhere, racing back and forth of view and converging, security separating people apart. Amidst the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue this down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him saying to someone as well they talk to much. Raphinha was running to intervene with his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

In April, the French star posted: “They rejoice in our losses like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid were defeated in a clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown greeting the end, projectiles flying. A fortnight later, they suffered another loss. In four encounters, the team had lost four times, league, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. Their defense allowed 4, 5, three and 4. But there is always tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side previously won five clásicos consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic streak concluding with that 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Real Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move five points clear in first place in La Liga.

Significance

Madrid had needed this. The celebration said so, players celebrating in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium more vocal and intense than on a clásico day in recent memory: “amazing,” the English midfielder called it. The coach said so too. Asked if this was a relief, if there had been a psychosis regarding important matches, a fixation, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he acknowledged that the result represented “more than a win, but where we come from and its importance for the squad; the boys needed that feeling of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign Madrid failed to secure a win in such matches. Fourteen times they lost: French side, Milan, Liverpool, Athletic, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and Arsenal all beat them. There wasn’t one victory versus a top-tier opponent. Carlo Ancelotti went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. Madrid won five games at the Club World Cup, signs of tactical organization developing, an idea, however then came PSG.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of the prior year, Alonso stated. Yet the next season, his season, began with a winning streak in a row before Atlético visited and scored five past them. It was all well and good defeating newly promoted, Mallorca and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Now at last they defeated one of them too. And not only that Madrid triumphed, but also the manner they achieved it.

Barcelona had players out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were absent. So too the winger, an important player might now be fully recognised by his absence. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. Among substitutes they had five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who had started just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are nineteen. And a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match up front once more. Additionally their manager was absent, Hansi Flick banned and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, has been in the dugout three times: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of Barcelona’s defensive setup, yet they did not attack effectively during the match. Among comments directed at the young player that day, perhaps the most telling was from Vinícius mid-match, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for that backline, more porous than before with the defender leaving, the pressure on passers decreasing and coordination off, Levante made multiple opportunities against them, another team five, Sevilla five, Catalan club three. Last year they trapped the French forward in an offside position on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; yet, lost amid losses, is the fact in the last meeting he got three goals, Madrid always likely to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, in particular. The match served as a start and also an end in itself. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of what we did in this game,” the manager said. The team had the ball result in goals on five occasions – three efforts ruled out for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick