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“As long as I win they are unable to say anything,” the young star once stated, but this time he came up short and opponents closed in for him. They said he was overly vocal; they replied that, indeed, they were going to see him outside; they told him words mean little. And that was just the players: further remarks from the preachers in their pulpits, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró suggested that the Madrid side rob and moan, according to reports. Additionally, he provided a recollection that the last time he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and a right foot was unexpected he possessed – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and this was now. Moreover, an adult now, exactly a year on, his side fell short. He knew, they told him so.

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

When the final whistle went on a wild, intense 262nd clásico that felt a little like old times, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Madrid’s captain did the classic jibber-jabber motion. It had been challenging following with everything that happened in the 105 minutes that preceded it, a match of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and additional efforts disallowed; now it was impossible.

Suddenly there were players everywhere, running back and forth of view and converging, security separating people apart. In the middle the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper was accepting the invitation to resume the dispute in the dressing room area. Vinícius was restrained, him saying to another player else they talk to much. Raphinha was running to stop his countryman, the defender also present. “The scene resembled our young,” the midfielder commented.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “Opponents celebrate our defeats as if we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost a clásico Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, projectiles being thrown. Two weeks later, they suffered another loss. Over four clásicos, the team had lost four times, league, cup and Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed four, five, three and 4. However there remains the future and as it happened he was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side previously won five derbies consecutively, under Guardiola historic streak concluding with the famous 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid ended the coach’s perfect record as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to move five points clear at the top of the table.

What It Means

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. The celebration said so, team members dancing together. Likewise, the noise, their stadium louder and intense than for such matches in recent memory: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham called it. The coach echoed this. When questioned whether this was a relief, if there had been a mental block around important matches, a fixation, he shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that this was “not just a win, but our recent history and its importance for the squad; the boys needed that feeling of securing a victory in a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign Madrid had not won in such matches. On fourteen occasions they lost: French side, Milan, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, eastern side and Arsenal all beat them. They did not achieve a single win against a truly big side. The previous manager went and succeeded by Alonso but it continued. The team won several victories at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization developing, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That is part of the prior year, Alonso said. But the next season, under his guidance season, began with a winning streak consecutively until Atlético came and put five against them. It was positive beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Finally they defeated a major rival too. And it wasn’t just that they triumphed, it was the manner they won.

The opposition were missing out: backup keeper, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were all missing. So too Raphinha, an important player might now be appreciated in absentia. Others were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal among them. On the bench they had five players who not begun in La Liga, two more who featured only once; teenagers, four 18-year-olds and two who are 19. Plus defender, Uruguayan star, who finished the match up front once more. Additionally their manager was missing, Flick banned and located in a radio cabin. His assistant, Sorg, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he suffered defeats in each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but their offense struggled effectively on Sunday. Of all comments directed to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most telling came from Vinícius mid-match, mocking Yamal by saying: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for their defense, more porous than before with Iñigo Martínez leaving, defensive intensity on passers decreasing and the timing lacking, Levante made multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, Rayo 5, Andalusian side 5, Girona three. Last year they caught the French forward in an offside position eight times in a high-scoring game; yet, lost amid the defeats, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid always positioned to get opportunities now.

Key Moments

With this approach, especially. This was a beginning and also an end in itself. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of what we did today,” Alonso said. The team had the ball in the net five times – three ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick