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“As long as I win they can’t say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously remarked, but this time he came up short and they were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; they replied that, yeah, they would meet him outside; they told him words mean little. This included just the players: there was more from commentators in media platforms, men who always have opinions.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who claims he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró implied that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and moan, or so it goes. He also offered a reminder that on his previous visit he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a spark in his gaze and his shooting ability was unexpected he had – 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. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham nets derby decisive goal as Real Madrid open a gap of their rivals

When the final whistle sounded on a wild, heated 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt a little like old times, Lamine Yamal approached towards Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Madrid’s captain did the old talking motion. The match was challenging following with everything that happened in the 105 minutes that went before, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores scored and additional efforts ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

Suddenly appeared players everywhere, racing back and forth of view and converging, police separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to resume this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him saying to someone as well they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger hurried to stop his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “It was when we young,” the midfielder commented.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “They rejoice in our defeats like we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Madrid had just lost a derby Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes greeting the final whistle, ice cubes being thrown. A fortnight later, they suffered another loss. In four encounters, Madrid had lost four times, league, cup and Super Cup won by their rivals. They had conceded 4, 5, three and four. But there is always tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side previously won 5 clásicos consecutively, under Guardiola record-breaking streak concluding with that 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended the coach’s perfect record in charge, beating Barcelona 2-1 to move five points clear in first place of the table.

Significance

Madrid had needed this. Their post-match joy reflected this, players dancing together. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu louder and more edgy than for such matches in recent memory: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. Manager Xabi Alonso said so too. Asked whether the win represented a weight off his shoulders, or existed a mental block around big games, a fixation, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” Yet he acknowledged that this was “not just three points, and our recent history and what it means to us; the players needed the experience of winning a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign Madrid had not won any. On fourteen occasions they lost: French side, Milan, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, Valencia and London club all beat them. They did not achieve a single win versus a truly big side. The previous manager departed and was replaced by Xabi Alonso but it continued. The team won several victories in the global tournament, indications of a structure emerging, a game plan, but then came PSG.

Current Campaign

That belongs to last season, the coach said. But the next season, under his guidance season, began with six wins consecutively until city rivals came and scored five past them. It was positive defeating newly promoted, Mallorca and Osasuna but what about elite opponents? Now at last they had beaten one of them as well. And it wasn’t just that they won, it was the way they achieved it.

The opposition were missing unavailable: Joan García, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were absent. So too Raphinha, whose significance may at least be fully recognised by his absence. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. On the bench were five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who had started just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match up front again. Additionally head coach was missing, Hansi Flick suspended and located in a radio cabin. His assistant, his assistant, was in the dugout on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of the team’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack effectively during the match. Of all comments directed to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing was from Vinícius mid-match, taunting the teenager by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for that backline, more porous than before after Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on passers dropping and the timing off, Levante created six clear chances versus Barcelona, another team 5, Sevilla 5, Catalan club 3. Previously they trapped Kylian Mbappé in an offside position eight times in a high-scoring game; yet, overshadowed by the defeats, was that in the last meeting he scored three goals, Real Madrid consistently likely to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, in particular. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “Going forward we’re going to need much of what we did today,” the manager commented. The team had shots result in goals on five occasions – three disallowed for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick