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“Whenever I emerge victorious they are unable to say a word,” the young star previously remarked, but this time he didn’t win and they closed in for him. They said he spoke too much; came the response that, indeed, they were going to see him outside; the message was talk is cheap. And that was only the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, men who always have opinions.

On the eve the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear behind in his hometown implied that the Madrid side rob and complain, or so it goes. Additionally, he provided a reminder that on his previous visit he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and a right foot was unexpected he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and this was now. And, an adult currently, exactly a year on, 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 went on an intense, intense 262nd clásico that felt a little like old times, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain made the classic talking gesture. It had been hard enough keeping up with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that went before, an encounter of numerous attempts, multiple scores recorded and additional efforts ruled out; now it was too much.

All at once appeared footballers all around, racing back and forth of sight and converging, security separating people away from each other. Amidst the melee, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the offer to continue this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was being held back, he telling another player else they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger was running to stop his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “It was when we young,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “Opponents celebrate our losses like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Madrid had just lost a clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 after additional minutes, emotional scenes following the end, ice cubes flying. Two weeks later, they were beaten again. In four clásicos, the team had lost on each occasion, league, Copa del Rey and Super Cup won by Barcelona. Their defense allowed four, five, three and four. But there remains tomorrow and it turned out Tchouaméni was right.

Only once have the Catalan side ever secured five clásicos consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic run concluding with that 5-0 against Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended the coach’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go a significant margin clear at the top in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. Their post-match joy said so, team members dancing together. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu louder and more edgy compared to for such matches in recent memory: “amazing,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. When questioned whether this was a weight off his shoulders, or there had been a mental block regarding big games, a fixation, he responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he acknowledged that this was “not just a win, but where we come from and its importance to us; the players needed the experience of securing a victory in a major fixture.”

Last season they had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they were defeated: French side, Italian club, Liverpool, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve one victory against a top-tier opponent. The previous manager departed and was replaced by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team won five games in the global tournament, indications of a structure developing, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That belongs to last season, the coach stated. But the next season, under his guidance season, started with six wins consecutively until Atlético came and scored five past them. It was all well and good beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Now at last they had beaten a major rival as well. And not only that Madrid triumphed, but also the way they won.

The opposition had players unavailable: Joan García, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. So too Raphinha, an important player might now be fully recognised in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. Among substitutes they had several individuals who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are nineteen. And a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it up front once more. Additionally head coach was missing, Hansi Flick banned and located in a radio cabin. His assistant, his assistant, was on the touchline on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s defensive setup, but they did not attack effectively during the match. Among the things that were said at the young player that day, maybe the most telling was from Vinícius during the game, mocking Yamal by saying: “Your play is backwards passes.” As for their defense, leakier compared to past after the defender leaving, defensive intensity on passers dropping and the timing lacking, one opponent created six clear chances against them, another team five, Andalusian side five, Girona three. Last year they trapped the French forward in an offside position eight times in a high-scoring game; yet, overshadowed by the defeats, was that in the last meeting he got a hat-trick, Madrid always positioned to get opportunities now.

Key Moments

With this approach, in particular. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “In the future we will require a lot of what we did today,” the manager said. They put shots in the net on five occasions – three ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick