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“As long as I win they are unable to say a word,” the young star previously stated, however on this occasion he came up short and they were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, yeah, they would see him outside; the message was words mean little. This included only the players: further remarks from the preachers in their pulpits, men who always have opinions.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness back in his hometown suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and moan, or so it goes. He also provided a recollection that the last time he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and this was now. Moreover, an adult now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. It was clear, they told him so.

Jude Bellingham scores derby winner as the Madrid club open a gap of Barcelona

As the match conclusion went on a wild, heated 262nd clásico that felt a little like old times, Lamine Yamal approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Rather than taking it, Carvajal did the old talking motion. The match was challenging following with all the action that happened in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals scored and additional efforts ruled out; at that moment it became too much.

Suddenly there were footballers everywhere, racing back and forth of view and piling in, police separating people apart. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to continue this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him saying to someone as well they are too vocal. Raphinha hurried to stop his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “It was when we youth,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni posted: “Opponents rejoice in our losses as if we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid were defeated in a clásico Spanish Cup final 3-2 after additional minutes, emotional scenes greeting the final whistle, projectiles flying. A fortnight later, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, the team were defeated four times, league, Copa del Rey and Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed 4, five, three and four. But there remains tomorrow and as it happened Tchouaméni proved correct.

On just one occasion had Barcelona ever won 5 derbies consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking run concluding with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid ended the coach’s unbeaten start as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin clear at the top in La Liga.

What It Means

Madrid had needed the victory. Their post-match joy said so, team members dancing in circles. So did the noise, the Bernabéu more vocal and intense than on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” the English midfielder described it. The coach echoed this. Asked if this was a weight off his shoulders, if existed a psychosis regarding big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he did admit that the result represented “more than three points, and our recent history and its importance to us; the players required the experience of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they were defeated: French side, Italian club, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Betis, city foes, eastern side and London club all beat them. There wasn’t a single win versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. The team secured five games in the global tournament, signs of tactical organization developing, an idea, however then came PSG.

Season Progress

That defeat is part of the prior year, the coach stated. Yet the next season, his season, started with six wins in a row until Atlético came and scored five past them. It was all well and good beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Now at last they had beaten one of them as well. And it wasn’t just that Madrid won, it was the way they achieved it.

The opposition had players out: backup keeper, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were all missing. So too the winger, whose significance may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, defender and Lamine Yamal included. On the bench were five players who not begun in La Liga, others who featured just one time; teenagers, young talents and two who are 19. And defender, Uruguayan star, who finished the match up front once more. Even head coach was absent, Flick suspended and located in a commentary box. His assistant, his assistant, was in the dugout three times: he has lost each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s defensive setup, but their offense struggled effectively during the match. Of all the things directed to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, maybe the most telling came from Vinícius during the game, mocking Yamal by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for that backline, leakier than before after Iñigo Martínez departing, defensive intensity on passers dropping and coordination off, Levante created multiple opportunities against them, another team five, Andalusian side 5, Catalan club 3. Previously they caught the French forward offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, lost amid the defeats, is the fact in their most recent match he got three goals, Madrid consistently positioned to create chances now.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, in particular. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” Alonso said. The team had shots in the net five times – three disallowed due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick