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“Whenever I emerge victorious they can’t say anything,” Lamine Yamal once stated, however this time he came up short and they were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; came the response that, indeed, they were going to see him outside; the message was words mean little. And that was only the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, men who always have opinions.

Just before this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who claims he left fear back in his hometown implied that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and complain, according to reports. He also offered a recollection that the last time he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a spark in his gaze and his shooting ability they didn’t know he had – his team triumphed 4-0. Yet that was past and the present differed. And, more mature currently, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham scores clásico decisive goal as the Madrid club pull clear of their rivals

As the final whistle went on an intense, heated 262nd Madrid-Barca match that was a little like old times, Lamine Yamal walked in the direction of Dani Carvajal, hand out. Rather than taking it, Carvajal did the classic talking motion. The match was hard enough keeping up with all the action that happened in over an hour and forty-five that went before, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores scored and additional efforts ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

Suddenly there were footballers everywhere, racing back and forth of view and converging, security pulling people apart. In the middle the melee, Thibaut Courtois took up the invitation to resume the dispute in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, him saying to another player as well they talk to much. Raphinha was running to stop his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “It was our youth,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

In April, Tchouaméni posted: “Opponents celebrate our losses as if we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost a clásico Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, projectiles flying. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four clásicos, Madrid had lost on each occasion, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed 4, 5, three and four. However there remains the future and it turned out Tchouaméni was right.

On just one occasion had Barcelona ever won 5 derbies consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking streak concluding with that 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s perfect record as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin clear in first place in La Liga.

Significance

Madrid required this. Their post-match joy said so, players dancing together. Likewise, the noise, their stadium louder and intense than for such matches in recent memory: “amazing,” the English midfielder described it. Manager Xabi Alonso said so too. When questioned if the win represented a relief, or there had been a mental block regarding big games, an obsession, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he did admit that this was “more than a win, but our recent history and its importance for the squad; the players 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, Italian club, Liverpool, Bilbao, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and London club all beat them. There wasn’t one victory against a truly big side. The previous manager departed and was replaced by Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid secured several victories in the global tournament, signs of a structure developing, an idea, however they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That is part of last season, the coach stated. Yet the next season, his season, began with a winning streak in a row before Atlético visited and scored five past them. The results were all well and good beating newly promoted, Mallorca and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Now at last they had beaten a major rival too. Moreover not only that they won, it was the manner they won.

Barcelona had players out: Joan García, young midfielder, attacking midfielder, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. Additionally Raphinha, whose significance may at least be appreciated in absentia. Others weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. On the bench they had several individuals who not begun in La Liga, two more who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it up front once more. Even their manager was absent, Flick suspended and located in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, was on the touchline three times: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of the team’s defensive setup, but they did not attack effectively during the match. Of all comments that were said at the young player on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing was from Vinícius mid-match, mocking Yamal by telling him: “Your play is backwards passes.” Regarding that backline, more porous than before after the defender leaving, defensive intensity on passers dropping and the timing lacking, Levante created six clear chances against them, Rayo five, Sevilla five, Girona three. Last year they caught the French forward in an offside position on multiple occasions in an open clásico; yet, lost amid the defeats, is the fact in the last meeting he scored three goals, Madrid always likely to create chances now.

Key Moments

Playing like this, in particular. This was a start and also a significant result. “Going forward we’re going to need much of what we did in this game,” Alonso said. They put the ball result in goals five times – three efforts ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick