🔗 Share this article

“As long as I emerge victorious they are unable to say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, but this time he didn’t win and opponents closed in for him. They said he was overly vocal; they replied that, yeah, they were going to meet him off the pitch; the message was talk is cheap. And that was only the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, men who always have opinions.

Just before this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear behind in Mataró implied that the Madrid side rob and complain, or so it goes. He also provided a reminder that on his previous visit he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a spark in his gaze and his shooting ability was unexpected he had – his team triumphed 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, more mature currently, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. He knew, as opponents made sure.

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

When the final whistle went on an intense, intense 262nd clásico that was somewhat like old times, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Instead of taking it, Carvajal did the classic talking gesture. The match was challenging following 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 everywhere, racing in and out of sight and converging, security separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois took up the invitation to continue this down the tunnel. Vinícius was restrained, him telling someone else they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger hurried to intervene with his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we youth,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “They celebrate our defeats as if our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost the clásico Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown greeting the end, ice cubes flying. A fortnight later, they suffered another loss. In four encounters, the team had lost four times, league, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. Their defense allowed 4, 5, 3 and 4. However there remains 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 streak ending with that 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Real Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go five points ahead in first place in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad required this. Their post-match joy said so, team members celebrating together. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and intense than for such matches for years: “amazing,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if existed a psychosis regarding big games, an obsession, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he did admit that the result represented “not just three points, but where we come from and what it means to us; the boys required the experience of winning a major fixture.”

Last season they had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they lost: Lille, Italian club, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve a single win versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager departed and was replaced by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid secured several victories in the global tournament, indications of a structure developing, an idea, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That belongs to last season, Alonso stated. But the next season, his season, began with a winning streak in a row before city rivals came and put five past them. The results were all well and good defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna but what about elite opponents? Now at last they had beaten a major rival too. Moreover not only that Madrid won, but also the way they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing out: Joan García, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were all missing. Additionally Raphinha, an important player might now be appreciated in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and young forward included. On the bench were five players who hadn’t started a league game, two more who had started only once; teenagers, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are 19. Plus defender, Uruguayan star, who finished the match up front once more. Additionally their manager was missing, Flick suspended and stuck in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, has been on the touchline three times: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of the team’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack well on Sunday. Among the things directed to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most telling came from the Brazilian during the game, taunting the teenager by telling him: “Your play is backwards passes.” Regarding that backline, more porous compared to past with the defender leaving, the pressure on opponents decreasing and the timing lacking, Levante created six clear chances against them, Rayo five, Sevilla five, Girona three. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, lost amid losses, is the fact in the last meeting he scored three goals, Madrid consistently positioned to create chances now.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. This was a beginning and also a significant result. “In the future we’re going to need a lot of what we did in this game,” the manager said. They put shots in the net five times – three efforts ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick