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“Whenever I win they can’t say anything,” the young star once stated, but on this occasion he came up short and they closed in for him. They said he was overly vocal; they replied that, indeed, they would see him off the pitch; the message was talk is cheap. And that was just the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, individuals who never lose.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he left fear back in his hometown implied that Real Madrid rob and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a reminder that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a spark in his gaze and a right foot was unexpected he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and the present differed. And, more mature currently, exactly a year on, his side fell short. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham scores derby winner as Real Madrid pull clear of their rivals

As the match conclusion went on an intense, heated 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt a little like old times, Lamine Yamal walked in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Rather than taking it, Carvajal did the classic jibber-jabber motion. The match was challenging keeping up with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores scored and three more disallowed; at that moment it became too much.

Suddenly appeared players all around, running in and out of view and converging, police separating people apart. In the middle the melee, Thibaut Courtois took up the offer to resume the dispute in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was restrained, he saying to someone as well they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger was running to stop his countryman, the defender there too. “It was when we youth,” the midfielder said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “Opponents rejoice in our defeats as if we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid had just lost a clásico Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, projectiles flying. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, the team had lost four times, league, Copa del Rey and Super Cup going to Barcelona. They had conceded four, five, three and four. But there is always the future and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side ever secured five derbies consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic run ending with that 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Real Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start in charge, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin clear in first place of the table.

What It Means

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. The celebration reflected this, players dancing together. So did the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and more edgy compared to for such matches for years: “amazing,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked whether this was a weight off his shoulders, or there had been a psychosis regarding important matches, an obsession, he responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he did admit that this was “not just a win, and our recent history and what it means to us; the players needed the experience of securing a victory in a big game.”

Last season they had not won any. Fourteen times they were defeated: French side, Milan, Liverpool, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and London club all beat them. They did not achieve a single win versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team won several victories at the Club World Cup, signs of tactical organization developing, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat is part of last season, Alonso stated. Yet the next season, under his guidance season, began with a winning streak in a row before city rivals visited and put five against them. It was all well and good beating newly promoted, Mallorca and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Now at last they defeated a major rival too. And not only that Madrid won, it was the manner they achieved it.

The opposition were missing out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and defender were absent. Additionally the winger, whose significance may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward included. Among substitutes were five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, two more who had started just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and two who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match in attack once more. Additionally head coach was missing, Flick suspended and located in a radio cabin. His assistant, his assistant, has been on the touchline three times: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of Barcelona’s defensive setup, but they did not attack well during the match. Of all comments that were said to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, maybe the most revealing was from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting the teenager by telling him: “Your play is backwards passes.” As for that backline, more porous compared to past after the defender leaving, the pressure on opponents dropping and coordination lacking, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, another team 5, Andalusian side 5, Catalan club 3. Previously they caught Kylian Mbappé offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; yet, lost amid losses, was that in their most recent match he got a hat-trick, Madrid consistently positioned to create chances currently.

Key Moments

Playing like this, in particular. The match served as a start as well as a significant result. “In the future we will require a lot of what we did in this game,” Alonso said. The team had shots result in goals on five occasions – three ruled out due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick