🔗 Share this article

“Whenever I emerge victorious they are unable to say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, but this time he didn’t win and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, yeah, they would see him off the pitch; the message was words mean little. This included just the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before this epic clash, the teenager who claims he left fear behind in his hometown implied that Real Madrid rob and moan, according to reports. He also provided a recollection that the last time he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana braces, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he possessed – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, an adult now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham scores clásico winner as Real Madrid open a gap of their rivals

As the match conclusion sounded on a wild, intense 262nd Madrid-Barca match that was somewhat like old times, Lamine Yamal walked towards Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Carvajal did the classic talking motion. The match was challenging keeping up with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores scored and three more ruled out; now it was impossible.

Suddenly appeared players all around, racing in and out of sight and piling in, security pulling individuals apart. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue the dispute down the tunnel. Vinícius was restrained, he saying to another player as well they are too vocal. Raphinha hurried to stop his compatriot, the defender also present. “The scene resembled when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “Opponents rejoice in our defeats as if we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost a derby Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, emotional scenes following the final whistle, projectiles flying. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. In four encounters, Madrid had lost four times, league, cup and Super Cup going to Barcelona. They had conceded 4, 5, three and 4. However there is always the future and as it happened he proved correct.

Only once have the Catalan side previously won 5 clásicos consecutively, under Guardiola historic run concluding with that 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid brought to a close the coach’s perfect record in charge, beating Barcelona 2-1 to move a significant margin clear at the top in La Liga.

What It Means

The Madrid squad had needed this. The celebration reflected this, team members celebrating together. So did the noise, their stadium more vocal and more edgy compared to on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso said so too. Asked if this was a relief, or there had been a psychosis around big games, a fixation, he responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he did admit that the result represented “not just a win, and where we come from and what it means for the squad; the players needed that feeling of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win in such matches. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: French side, Italian club, Liverpool, Athletic, Espanyol, Betis, Atlético, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve one victory against a top-tier opponent. Carlo Ancelotti departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won several victories in the global tournament, indications of a structure developing, a game plan, but then came PSG.

Season Progress

That is part of last season, the coach said. Yet the new campaign, under his guidance season, began with six wins consecutively until city rivals visited and scored 5 against them. The results were positive defeating newly promoted, island team and Pamplona side however, against elite opponents? Finally they defeated a major rival as well. Moreover it wasn’t just that Madrid won, it was the way they won.

The opposition had players out: backup keeper, young midfielder, attacking midfielder, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. Additionally Raphinha, whose significance might now be fully recognised in absentia. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward included. Among substitutes were several individuals who hadn’t started in La Liga, two more who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are nineteen. And defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it up front again. Even their manager was missing, Hansi Flick suspended and stuck in a radio cabin. His assistant, Sorg, was in the dugout three times: he suffered defeats in each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s defensive setup, yet they did not attack well on Sunday. Among the things directed at the young player that day, maybe the most telling was from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting Yamal by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” Regarding their defense, leakier than before after Iñigo Martínez departing, the pressure on opponents decreasing and the timing off, one opponent made multiple opportunities against them, another team five, Andalusian side 5, Catalan club 3. Last year they trapped Kylian Mbappé offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by losses, is the fact in their most recent match he scored a hat-trick, Madrid consistently positioned to get opportunities now.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, especially. This was a beginning and also a significant result. “In the future we will require a lot of what we did in this game,” Alonso said. They put the ball result in goals on five occasions – three ruled out for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick