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“Whenever I win they can’t say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously remarked, however on this occasion he came up short and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, indeed, they would see him off the pitch; they told him talk is cheap. And that was only the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness back in Mataró implied that Real Madrid rob and complain, according to reports. Additionally, he provided a reminder that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a spark in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. And, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham scores derby winner as Real Madrid pull clear of Barcelona

As the match conclusion sounded on an intense, intense 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger walked in the direction of Dani Carvajal, hand out. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain did the old talking motion. It had been hard enough following with all the action that happened in the 105 minutes that preceded it, a match of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and additional efforts ruled out; now it was impossible.

All at once appeared footballers all around, running in and out of sight and converging, police pulling people away from each other. Amidst the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, him telling someone as well they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to intervene with his countryman, the defender there too. “The scene resembled our young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

In April, the French star had written: “They celebrate our defeats like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in the derby Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes greeting the final whistle, projectiles being thrown. Two weeks afterwards, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, the team were defeated on each occasion, league, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed four, 5, 3 and four. However there is always tomorrow and as it happened he was right.

Only once have the Catalan side ever secured five clásicos in a row, under Guardiola historic run concluding with the famous 5-0 against Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid brought to a close the coach’s perfect record as manager, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go a significant margin ahead at the top of the table.

Significance

Madrid required this. The celebration said so, team members celebrating in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and more edgy compared to on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked if this was a relief, if there had been a psychosis regarding big games, an obsession, Xabi Alonso responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he did admit that this was “more than three points, but where we come from and what it means for the squad; the players needed that feeling of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid had not won any. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: French side, Milan, Liverpool, Bilbao, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and Arsenal all beat them. They did not achieve a single win versus a truly big side. The previous manager went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team secured five games at the Club World Cup, signs of a structure emerging, an idea, but they faced PSG.

Season Progress

That is part of the prior year, the coach stated. But the next season, under his guidance term, began with six wins consecutively before city rivals came and put 5 against them. The results were positive defeating Oviedo, Mallorca and Pamplona side however, against the big teams? Now at last they defeated a major rival as well. And not only that Madrid triumphed, it was the way they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing unavailable: Joan García, young midfielder, attacking midfielder, star striker and defender were absent. So too the winger, whose significance might now be appreciated by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward included. On the bench were several individuals who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. And a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who finished the match up front once more. Even head coach was absent, Hansi Flick banned and located in a commentary box. His assistant, Sorg, has been in the dugout on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but their offense struggled well on Sunday. Among the things directed at the young player on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing came from Vinícius during the game, taunting the teenager by saying: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for that backline, leakier than before after Iñigo Martínez leaving, defensive intensity on passers dropping and the timing off, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, Rayo 5, Sevilla 5, Girona 3. Last year they trapped Kylian Mbappé offside eight times in an open clásico; yet, overshadowed by losses, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid consistently likely to get opportunities currently.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. The match served as a beginning as well as an end in itself. “In the future we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” Alonso said. The team had the ball result in goals five times – three efforts disallowed due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick