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“As long as I win they can’t say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, however on this occasion he didn’t win and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, yeah, they were going to meet him off the pitch; they told him words mean little. This included just the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, individuals who always have opinions.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear back in Mataró suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a reminder that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and his shooting ability was unexpected he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and the present differed. Moreover, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. He knew, as opponents made sure.

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

When the final whistle sounded on a wild, intense latest clásico that felt somewhat like past encounters, Lamine Yamal walked towards Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Instead of taking it, Carvajal did the old talking gesture. It had been hard enough following with everything that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals scored and additional efforts disallowed; now it was too much.

All at once there were players all around, racing in and out of sight and converging, security separating people apart. Amidst the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the offer to continue this down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him saying to someone as well they talk to much. Barcelona’s winger was running to intervene with his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled our youth,” the midfielder commented.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “Opponents celebrate our defeats like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in a derby Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the end, ice cubes flying. A fortnight later, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, Madrid had lost four times, La Liga, cup and Super Cup going to their rivals. Their defense allowed four, 5, three and 4. But there remains tomorrow and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

Only once had Barcelona previously secured five clásicos consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic run concluding with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to move a significant margin ahead at the top in La Liga.

What It Means

The Madrid squad required the victory. The celebration said so, players dancing together. Likewise, the noise, their stadium more vocal and more edgy than for such matches for years: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham called it. The coach said so too. Asked whether the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if there had been a mental block regarding important matches, a fixation, he responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he acknowledged that the result represented “more than a win, and our recent history and what it means for the squad; the players required the experience of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win in such matches. Fourteen times they were defeated: French side, Italian club, Liverpool, Bilbao, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, Atlético, Valencia and London club all beat them. They did not achieve one victory versus a top-tier opponent. Carlo Ancelotti went and was replaced by Alonso but it continued. The team secured several victories in the global tournament, signs of tactical organization emerging, an idea, however they faced PSG.

Current Campaign

That is part of last season, the coach stated. But the new campaign, under his guidance season, began with a winning streak consecutively until city rivals visited and put 5 past them. The results were positive beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna however, against the big teams? Finally they defeated a major rival as well. Moreover not only that they triumphed, it was the manner they achieved it.

The opposition were missing unavailable: backup keeper, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were all missing. So too the winger, whose significance may at least be appreciated in absentia. Others were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. Among substitutes they had several individuals who not begun in La Liga, others who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are 19. And a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it in attack once more. Additionally their manager was absent, Flick banned and stuck in a radio cabin. His assistant, Sorg, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he suffered defeats in each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of the team’s vulnerable high line, yet their offense struggled well on Sunday. Of all comments directed to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most telling was from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” As for their defense, leakier than before with Iñigo Martínez leaving, defensive intensity on passers dropping and the timing off, one opponent created six clear chances versus Barcelona, another team five, Sevilla five, Catalan club 3. Previously they caught the French forward offside eight times in an open clásico; yet, overshadowed by the defeats, is the fact in the last meeting he scored three goals, Madrid always likely to create chances now.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. This was a start as well as a significant result. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of what we did in this game,” Alonso said. The team had shots result in goals on five occasions – three disallowed for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick