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“As long as I win they are unable to say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, but this time he came up short and opponents closed in for him. They said he spoke too much; came the response that, indeed, they would see him off the pitch; they told him words mean little. This included only the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, men who never lose.

On the eve this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who claims he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró implied that the Madrid side rob and moan, according to reports. Additionally, he provided a reminder that the last time he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana braces, a glint in his eye and his shooting ability was unexpected he possessed – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and this was now. And, an adult currently, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets derby winner as the Madrid club pull clear of their rivals

As the match conclusion sounded on an intense, heated 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt somewhat like old times, Lamine Yamal approached towards Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Madrid’s captain did the old talking gesture. The match was challenging keeping up with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became too much.

All at once appeared footballers all around, racing back and forth of view and converging, security pulling people away from each other. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper was accepting the invitation to continue the dispute down the tunnel. Vinícius was being held back, he saying to someone else they talk to much. Raphinha hurried to stop his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we youth,” the midfielder said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni posted: “Opponents rejoice in our defeats like our winning days are over. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid were defeated in a clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown greeting the end, ice cubes flying. A fortnight afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four clásicos, Madrid had lost four times, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed 4, five, 3 and 4. But there remains tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side ever secured 5 derbies consecutively, under Guardiola historic run ending with the famous 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start in charge, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to move five points clear at the top of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad required the victory. Their post-match joy said so, players dancing in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium more vocal and intense than for such matches for years: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. The coach echoed this. Asked whether the win represented a relief, or existed a mental block around important matches, a fixation, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” Yet he acknowledged that the result represented “not just a win, and our recent history and what it means for the squad; the players required the experience of securing a victory in a big game.”

Last season Madrid failed to secure a win in such matches. On fourteen occasions they lost: French side, Milan, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, Valencia and London club each defeated them. They did not achieve a single win versus a truly big side. The previous manager went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. Madrid won five games in the global tournament, indications of tactical organization emerging, an idea, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat is part of the prior year, the coach stated. But the next season, under his guidance season, started with six wins consecutively until Atlético came and put five past them. It was positive beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna however, against the big teams? Finally they defeated one of them as well. And not only that they triumphed, but also the manner they won.

The opposition had players unavailable: backup keeper, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. Additionally Raphinha, an important player may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. Among substitutes they had five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are 19. And a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it in attack once more. Even head coach was missing, Flick banned and located in a commentary box. His assistant, Sorg, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he has lost all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet their offense struggled effectively on Sunday. Among the things that were said to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most telling was from the Brazilian mid-match, mocking the teenager by telling him: “Your play is backwards passes.” Regarding their defense, leakier compared to past with Iñigo Martínez departing, the pressure on passers dropping and coordination off, one opponent created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, Rayo 5, Sevilla five, Girona 3. Previously they caught Kylian Mbappé in an offside position on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; however, overshadowed by the defeats, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid consistently positioned to create chances now.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, especially. The match served as a start as well as an end in itself. “In the future we’re going to need much of what we did in this game,” the manager commented. The team had the ball result in goals five times – three disallowed due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick