🔗 Share this article

“Whenever I win they are unable to say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously remarked, but on this occasion he came up short and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; came the response that, indeed, they would meet him outside; they told him words mean little. This included only the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, individuals who never lose.

Just before this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear back in Mataró implied that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and moan, or so it goes. Additionally, he offered a recollection that on his previous visit he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and his shooting ability they didn’t know he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. Moreover, more mature currently, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham scores clásico winner as the Madrid club pull clear of Barcelona

As the final whistle went on a wild, heated 262nd clásico that was somewhat like old times, the Barcelona winger approached towards Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Instead of taking it, Carvajal did the old talking gesture. It had been challenging following with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, a match of 38 shots, three goals recorded and additional efforts disallowed; now it was impossible.

All at once there were players everywhere, running in and out of sight and piling in, security separating individuals away from each other. In the middle the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois took up the offer to continue this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was restrained, he saying to someone else they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger was running to intervene with his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “They rejoice in our losses 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 following the final whistle, projectiles being thrown. Two weeks afterwards, they were beaten again. In four encounters, Madrid had lost four times, La Liga, cup and Super Cup won by Barcelona. Their defense allowed 4, 5, three and 4. But there remains tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

Only once had Barcelona previously won 5 derbies consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic run concluding with that 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended the coach’s unbeaten start in charge, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move a significant margin clear at the top in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. The celebration reflected this, players celebrating together. So did the noise, the Bernabéu more vocal and intense compared to on a clásico day in recent memory: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham called it. The coach echoed this. When questioned whether this was a weight off his shoulders, if existed a psychosis around big games, an obsession, he shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he acknowledged that the result represented “not just three points, but where we come from and its importance for the squad; the players needed the experience of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign they had not won any. Fourteen times they lost: French side, Italian club, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and Arsenal all beat them. They did not achieve a single win versus a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti departed and was replaced by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid secured five games in the global tournament, indications of tactical organization emerging, a game plan, however they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of last season, the coach stated. Yet the new campaign, his season, began with six wins in a row until Atlético visited and scored 5 past them. It was positive beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Now at last they defeated one of them too. Moreover not only that Madrid triumphed, it was the way they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing out: backup keeper, young midfielder, attacking midfielder, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were absent. So too Raphinha, whose significance may at least be fully recognised by his absence. Others were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. On the bench were several individuals who hadn’t started a league game, two more who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match up front again. Additionally their manager was absent, Flick suspended and located in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, has been in the dugout three times: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack well during the match. Of all the things that were said at the young player on Sunday, maybe the most telling came from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting the teenager by telling him: “Your play is backwards passes.” Regarding that backline, leakier compared to past with the defender leaving, defensive intensity on passers decreasing and the timing off, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, another team 5, Sevilla five, Girona 3. Previously they caught the French forward offside eight times in a high-scoring game; however, overshadowed by the defeats, is the fact in their most recent match he scored a hat-trick, Madrid always likely to get opportunities now.

Key Moments

With this approach, in particular. The match served as a beginning and also a significant result. “In the future we will require much of our performance in this game,” Alonso said. The team had the ball result in goals on five occasions – three efforts ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick