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“Whenever I emerge victorious they are unable to say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, but this time he didn’t win and they closed in for him. They said he was overly vocal; they replied that, yeah, they were going to meet him outside; they told him talk is cheap. This included just the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, individuals who always have opinions.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró implied that the Madrid side rob and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a recollection that on his previous visit he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana dental work, 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. Moreover, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. It was clear, they told him so.

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

As the final whistle sounded on a wild, heated latest clásico that was somewhat like old times, Lamine Yamal walked towards Madrid’s captain, hand out. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain made the old jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging following with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores scored and additional efforts disallowed; now it was impossible.

Suddenly appeared players all around, racing back and forth of sight and converging, police separating people apart. Amidst the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper was accepting the invitation to resume this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was restrained, him saying to another player else they talk to much. Barcelona’s winger hurried to intervene with his countryman, the defender also present. “It was our youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Shift in Momentum

In April, the French star had written: “They celebrate our losses like our winning days are over. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid were defeated in the derby Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, ice cubes being thrown. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, the team had lost on each occasion, La Liga, cup and Super Cup going to their rivals. They had conceded four, five, three and 4. However there remains tomorrow and it turned out he proved correct.

On just one occasion had Barcelona ever secured 5 derbies in a row, under Guardiola record-breaking streak ending with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s perfect record in charge, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go five points ahead in first place in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed this. The celebration reflected this, team members dancing in circles. So did the noise, their stadium louder and intense than for such matches for years: “amazing,” the English midfielder described it. The coach said so too. Asked whether this was a weight off his shoulders, if there had been a psychosis around important matches, 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 to us; the boys required the experience of winning a big game.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win in such matches. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: Lille, Italian club, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Betis, city foes, Valencia and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve a single win against a truly big side. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. Madrid won five games at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization emerging, a game plan, but then came Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That is part of last season, the coach said. But the next season, under his guidance season, started with six wins consecutively before city rivals came and scored 5 past them. It was all well and good defeating newly promoted, Mallorca and Pamplona side but what about the big teams? Finally they defeated one of them too. Moreover it wasn’t just that Madrid won, but also the manner they achieved it.

Barcelona had players unavailable: Joan García, young midfielder, attacking midfielder, star striker and defender were all missing. So too Raphinha, an important player might now be appreciated by his absence. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. Among substitutes were several individuals who hadn’t started a league game, two more who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are 19. Plus defender, Uruguayan star, who ended it in attack again. Additionally their manager was missing, 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 is made of the team’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack well on Sunday. Of all comments that were said to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, perhaps the most telling was from the Brazilian during the game, mocking the teenager by telling him: “You’re all retreating balls.” Regarding that backline, leakier than before after Iñigo Martínez leaving, defensive intensity on passers decreasing and coordination lacking, one opponent made six clear chances against them, another team 5, Andalusian side 5, Girona 3. Previously they trapped Kylian Mbappé in an offside position eight times in a high-scoring game; however, 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 start and also a significant result. “In the future we’re going to need a lot of what we did in this game,” the manager said. The team had the ball in the net five times – three efforts ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick