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“As long as I win they can’t say anything,” Lamine Yamal once stated, however 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; the message was talk is cheap. This included only the players: there was more from the preachers in media platforms, men who always have opinions.

On the eve this epic clash, the teenager who says he abandoned nervousness back in Mataró implied that Real Madrid rob and complain, according to reports. Additionally, he provided a recollection that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his gaze and a right foot was unexpected he had – his team triumphed 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. And, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. He knew, they told him so.

Bellingham nets clásico decisive goal as Real Madrid pull clear of their rivals

As the final whistle sounded on an intense, intense 262nd clásico that felt somewhat like past encounters, Lamine Yamal walked in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Rather than taking it, Madrid’s captain made the old talking motion. It had been challenging keeping up with everything that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, a match of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and additional efforts ruled out; now it was impossible.

All at once appeared players all around, running in and out of sight and converging, police separating people apart. Amidst the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to continue this down the tunnel. Vinícius was being held back, him telling someone as well they talk to much. Barcelona’s winger hurried to intervene with his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “It was when we youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

In April, the French star posted: “They rejoice in our defeats as if we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid were defeated in a clásico Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the final whistle, projectiles being thrown. A fortnight afterwards, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, Madrid were defeated four times, La Liga, cup and Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed 4, 5, three and 4. However there is always the future and it turned out he proved correct.

Only once had Barcelona previously secured five derbies consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking streak ending with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin clear at the top of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. Their post-match joy said so, team members celebrating in circles. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu louder and intense than on a clásico day for years: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham described it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. When questioned whether this was a relief, if existed a psychosis around important matches, an obsession, Xabi Alonso responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” Yet he acknowledged that this was “more than three points, but where we come from and what it means for the squad; the players needed the experience of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign they failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they lost: French side, Milan, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and London club all beat them. There wasn’t one victory against a truly big side. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team won five games in the global tournament, signs of tactical organization emerging, an idea, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That is part of last season, the coach stated. Yet the new campaign, under his guidance season, started with six wins consecutively before city rivals came and scored five against them. It was positive defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Now at last they had beaten a major rival as well. And it wasn’t just that they triumphed, it was the way they achieved it.

The opposition had players out: Joan García, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally Raphinha, whose significance might now be fully recognised in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, defender and young forward included. Among substitutes were five players who hadn’t started a league game, others who featured only once; teenagers, young talents and two who are nineteen. And defender, Uruguayan star, who finished the match in attack once more. Additionally head coach was absent, Hansi Flick banned and stuck in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, was 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 on Sunday. Among comments that were said to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most telling came from Vinícius during the game, taunting the teenager by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for their defense, more porous than before after Iñigo Martínez departing, the pressure on opponents decreasing and the timing lacking, one opponent made six clear chances against them, another team five, Sevilla five, Catalan club 3. Last year they trapped Kylian Mbappé offside eight times in a high-scoring game; however, lost amid the defeats, is the fact in the last meeting he scored three goals, Madrid always positioned to get opportunities now.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, in particular. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “In the future we will require much of what we did today,” the manager commented. The team had the ball result in goals on five occasions – three efforts ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick