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“Whenever I win they are unable to say a word,” the young star once remarked, but on this occasion he didn’t win and they were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; came the response that, indeed, they would see him off the pitch; the message was words mean little. And that was just the players: there was more from the preachers in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he left fear back in his hometown implied that Real Madrid rob and complain, or so it goes. Additionally, he offered a reminder that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his gaze and his shooting ability they didn’t know he possessed – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and this was now. Moreover, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham nets clásico winner as the Madrid club open a gap of Barcelona

As the match conclusion sounded on a wild, intense 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt somewhat like old times, Lamine Yamal approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Madrid’s captain did the old talking motion. The match was hard enough keeping up with everything that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores scored and additional efforts disallowed; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once there were players everywhere, running in and out of sight and piling in, police separating people away from each other. Amidst the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to continue this down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, he saying to someone as well they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger hurried to intervene with his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “The scene resembled our youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “Opponents rejoice in our losses like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in the derby Spanish Cup final 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown following the end, ice cubes being thrown. A fortnight afterwards, they were beaten again. In four clásicos, the team were defeated four times, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Super Cup won by their rivals. Their defense allowed four, 5, three and 4. However there is always tomorrow and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side ever secured 5 derbies in a row, under Guardiola record-breaking run ending with that 5-0 against Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s perfect record as manager, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move a significant margin clear 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 in recent memory: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. When questioned whether this was a relief, or existed a mental block regarding big games, an obsession, he shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” Yet he acknowledged that the result represented “more than three points, and our recent history and its importance for the squad; the boys required the experience of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign Madrid failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they lost: French side, Italian club, Liverpool, Bilbao, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and London club all beat them. There wasn’t a single win against a truly big side. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. The team won five games in the global tournament, indications of tactical organization emerging, an idea, however then came PSG.

Season Progress

That is part of the prior year, the coach said. Yet the next season, under his guidance season, started with a winning streak consecutively until city rivals visited and put 5 against them. It was all well and good beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna but what about elite opponents? Finally they defeated one of them as well. And not only that Madrid won, but also the manner they won.

Barcelona had players unavailable: Joan García, Gavi, attacking midfielder, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally the winger, whose significance may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Several players weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. On the bench they had several individuals who not begun a league game, two more who featured only once; teenagers, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. And defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it up front once more. Additionally their manager was absent, Flick banned and located in a commentary box. His assistant, Sorg, has been in the dugout three times: he has lost each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack well during the match. Among the things directed to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most telling came from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting Yamal by saying: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for their defense, leakier than before with the defender departing, defensive intensity on passers dropping and coordination lacking, one opponent made six clear chances against them, another team 5, Sevilla five, Catalan club 3. Last year they caught the French forward in an offside position eight times in an open clásico; yet, overshadowed by losses, is the fact in the last meeting he scored three goals, Real Madrid consistently positioned to create chances now.

Key Moments

Playing like this, in particular. This was a beginning and also an end in itself. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of what we did in this game,” Alonso commented. They put shots in the net on five occasions – three ruled out for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick