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“As long as I win they can’t say anything,” the young star previously remarked, however on this occasion he came up short and opponents were coming for him. They said he was overly vocal; came the response that, indeed, they were going to meet him outside; they told him talk is cheap. And that was only the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, individuals who never lose.

Just before this epic clash, the teenager who says he left fear behind 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 had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a spark in his eye and his shooting ability was unexpected he possessed – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and this was now. Moreover, an adult now, exactly a year on, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

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When the final whistle sounded on a wild, heated 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt somewhat like past encounters, Lamine Yamal approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Instead of taking it, Madrid’s captain did the classic talking motion. The match was challenging following with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that went before, an encounter of 38 shots, three goals scored and additional efforts disallowed; at that moment it became too much.

All at once appeared footballers everywhere, racing back and forth of sight and converging, police separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the offer to resume the dispute down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was restrained, him saying to someone as well they talk to much. Raphinha was running to intervene with his compatriot, the defender also present. “The scene resembled when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni posted: “They celebrate our losses like our winning days are over. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid were defeated in a derby Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, ice cubes flying. A fortnight later, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, the team were defeated on each occasion, La Liga, cup and Spanish Super Cup won by their rivals. Their defense allowed four, 5, 3 and four. But there is always tomorrow and it turned out Tchouaméni proved correct.

Only once had Barcelona previously won five clásicos in a row, under Guardiola historic run ending with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Real Madrid brought to a close the coach’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points ahead in first place of the table.

Significance

Madrid had needed the victory. Their post-match joy said so, players dancing together. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and more edgy compared to for such matches in recent memory: “amazing,” the English midfielder called it. The coach said so too. When questioned if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, or there had been a psychosis around big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he acknowledged that this was “not just three points, and our recent history and what it means to us; the players required the experience of securing a victory in a big game.”

Last season they had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they lost: French side, Milan, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Sevilla-based, Atlético, Valencia and Arsenal all beat them. They did not achieve a single win against a truly big side. The previous manager departed and was replaced by Alonso but it continued. The team won several victories in the global tournament, signs of tactical organization emerging, an idea, but then came PSG.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of the prior year, Alonso stated. But the new campaign, his season, started with six wins in a row before city rivals visited and put 5 against them. The results were positive beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna but what about elite opponents? Now at last they defeated one of them as well. And not only that Madrid triumphed, it was the manner they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally Raphinha, an important player might now be fully recognised by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward included. On the bench they had several individuals who not begun in La Liga, two more who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and two who are 19. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it in attack again. Even their manager was absent, Hansi Flick banned and located in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, has been in the dugout three times: he has lost all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack effectively during the match. Of all comments directed at the young player on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing came from the Brazilian during the game, mocking Yamal by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for their defense, leakier than before after Iñigo Martínez leaving, defensive intensity on opponents dropping and coordination lacking, Levante made six clear chances against them, another team 5, Andalusian side five, Catalan club 3. Previously they trapped Kylian Mbappé offside on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; yet, lost amid the defeats, was that in their most recent match he got a hat-trick, Real Madrid always likely to get opportunities now.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, especially. This was a beginning and also an end in itself. “In the future we will require a lot of our performance today,” the manager commented. They put the ball in the net five times – three ruled out for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick