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“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say a word,” the young star once remarked, however on this occasion he came up short and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, yeah, they were going to meet him off the pitch; they told him talk is cheap. And that was only the players: there was more from commentators in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who claims he left fear behind in his hometown suggested that Real Madrid rob and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a reminder that on his previous visit he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he had – 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. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham scores clásico decisive goal as Real Madrid open a gap of Barcelona

When the match conclusion went on a wild, intense 262nd clásico that felt a little like old times, the Barcelona winger approached towards Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Madrid’s captain did the old talking motion. It had been challenging following with all the action that happened in the 105 minutes that went before, a match of 38 shots, three goals recorded and three more ruled out; now it was impossible.

All at once appeared players all around, running back and forth of view and converging, security separating individuals apart. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to resume the dispute down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was restrained, he telling someone else they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to stop his countryman, the defender there too. “It was our young,” the midfielder said.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, the French star posted: “Opponents celebrate our losses as if we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in a clásico Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the end, ice cubes flying. A fortnight later, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, Madrid were defeated on each occasion, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. They had conceded 4, five, 3 and 4. However there is always tomorrow and as it happened he was right.

On just one occasion had Barcelona previously won 5 clásicos consecutively, under Guardiola historic run concluding with that 5-0 against Mourinho’s team, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid brought to a close the coach’s perfect record as manager, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin ahead at the top of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. The celebration said so, players dancing together. So did the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and more edgy than for such matches for years: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso said so too. Asked whether the win represented a relief, or existed a mental block regarding big games, an obsession, he shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that this was “more than three points, and where we come from and what it means to us; the boys needed the experience of winning a big game.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win any. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: Lille, Milan, Liverpool, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and London club each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win versus a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won several victories at the Club World Cup, signs of tactical organization emerging, a game plan, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That belongs to the prior year, Alonso said. But the next season, under his guidance term, started with six wins in a row until city rivals came and scored five past them. It was all well and good defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna however, against the big teams? Now at last they had beaten one of them as well. And it wasn’t just that they triumphed, but also the way they won.

Barcelona had players unavailable: backup keeper, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were absent. Additionally the winger, an important player may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Others were not at 100%, defender and young forward among them. Among substitutes they had several individuals who not begun a league game, others who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are nineteen. Plus a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it in attack again. Additionally their manager was absent, Hansi Flick banned and located in a commentary box. His assistant, Sorg, has been in the dugout three times: he suffered defeats in each one.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of the team’s vulnerable high line, but their offense struggled well during the match. Among the things that were said at the young player that day, maybe the most telling was from the Brazilian during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” Regarding that backline, leakier than before with the defender leaving, the pressure on opponents dropping and the timing off, one opponent created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, another team five, Sevilla five, Catalan club 3. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by losses, was that in the last meeting he scored three goals, Real Madrid consistently positioned to get opportunities now.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, especially. This was a beginning and also a significant result. “In the future we’re going to need much of our performance in this game,” the manager said. They put the ball in the net five times – three disallowed for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick