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“Whenever I emerge victorious they are unable to say a word,” Lamine Yamal once remarked, however this time he didn’t win and they were coming for him. They said he was overly vocal; came the response that, yeah, they were going to meet him off the pitch; the message was words mean little. This included just the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, men who always have opinions.

Just before this epic clash, the teenager who claims he left fear behind in Mataró suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a reminder that on his previous visit he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a glint in his eye and his shooting ability they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. And, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham nets clásico winner as the Madrid club open a gap of their rivals

As the final whistle sounded on an intense, heated latest clásico that was somewhat like old times, Lamine Yamal approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Carvajal did the old talking gesture. The match was hard enough following with everything that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, a match of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and three more disallowed; at that moment it became too much.

Suddenly there were footballers everywhere, racing in and out of view and converging, police pulling people away from each other. In the middle the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois took up the invitation to continue this down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him telling another player else they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to stop his countryman, the defender also present. “The scene resembled our youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “They rejoice in our defeats like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost the clásico Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes greeting the final whistle, projectiles flying. Two weeks later, they suffered another loss. Over four clásicos, the team had lost on each occasion, league, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to Barcelona. They had conceded four, five, 3 and four. However there is always the future and it turned out he proved correct.

On just one occasion had Barcelona ever won five clásicos in a row, Pep Guardiola’s historic streak ending with that 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Madrid ended the coach’s perfect record as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to move five points ahead in first place of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad required this. Their post-match joy said so, players celebrating together. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu louder and more edgy than on a clásico day in recent memory: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham described it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, or existed a psychosis regarding important matches, an obsession, he responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he did admit that this was “more than three points, and where we come from and its importance for the squad; the players required the experience of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win any. On fourteen occasions they lost: Lille, Milan, Liverpool, Bilbao, city rivals, Sevilla-based, Atlético, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win against a top-tier opponent. Carlo Ancelotti went and succeeded by Alonso but it continued. Madrid won five games at the Club World Cup, indications of a structure developing, an idea, however they faced PSG.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of the prior year, Alonso said. Yet the new campaign, his term, started with six wins in a row until city rivals came and put 5 against them. The results were positive defeating Oviedo, island team and Pamplona side but what about elite opponents? Finally they defeated a major rival as well. Moreover not only that Madrid triumphed, but also the way they won.

The opposition had players unavailable: backup keeper, Gavi, attacking midfielder, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were all missing. Additionally the winger, an important player may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, defender and Lamine Yamal included. Among substitutes they had five players who not begun in La Liga, others who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are 19. And a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who finished the match up front again. Additionally head coach was missing, Hansi Flick suspended and located in a commentary box. His assistant, his assistant, has been on the touchline three times: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack well on Sunday. Among comments directed at the young player on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing came from Vinícius during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “Your play is retreating balls.” Regarding their defense, more porous than before with Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on passers decreasing and the timing off, Levante created six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Andalusian side five, Girona three. Previously they caught Kylian Mbappé offside eight times in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by losses, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid always likely to create chances now.

Key Moments

With this approach, especially. This was a start as well as a significant result. “In the future we will require a lot of our performance today,” the manager said. The team had the ball result in goals on five occasions – three ruled out for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick