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“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say a word,” the young star once remarked, but this time he didn’t win and they closed in for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, indeed, they were going to see him outside; they told him words mean little. And that was only the players: there was more from the preachers in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness back in Mataró suggested that Real Madrid rob and complain, according to reports. Additionally, he provided a recollection that the last time he had been Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he had – his team triumphed 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. And, an adult currently, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Bellingham nets derby winner as Real Madrid pull clear of Barcelona

As the final whistle went on a wild, intense latest clásico that was somewhat like past encounters, Lamine Yamal approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Carvajal did the classic talking motion. The match was challenging following with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, a match of 38 shots, multiple scores scored and additional efforts ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once appeared footballers all around, running back and forth of sight and piling in, police separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the melee, Thibaut Courtois took up the offer to resume this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, him telling someone else they are too vocal. Raphinha hurried to stop his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “It was when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni posted: “Opponents celebrate our losses as if we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid had just lost the clásico Spanish Cup final 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the final whistle, projectiles being thrown. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. In four clásicos, Madrid were defeated on each occasion, league, Copa del Rey and Super Cup won by Barcelona. Their defense allowed 4, five, three and four. However there remains tomorrow and as it happened he was right.

On just one occasion had Barcelona ever secured 5 derbies consecutively, under Guardiola historic run ending with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move five points clear in first place in La Liga.

What It Means

Madrid required the victory. Their post-match joy said so, players celebrating in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and intense compared to on a clásico day for years: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham described it. The coach echoed this. Asked whether the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if there had been a psychosis around big games, an obsession, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that the result represented “not just a win, and where we come from and its importance for the squad; the players required the experience of winning a big game.”

Last season they had not won any. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: Lille, Italian club, Liverpool, Athletic, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and London club each defeated them. There wasn’t one victory versus a truly big side. The previous manager went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. The team won five games in the global tournament, signs of a structure developing, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat belongs to the prior year, the coach said. But the new campaign, under his guidance season, started with six wins consecutively before Atlético came and put 5 past them. It was all well and good defeating newly promoted, island team and Pamplona side however, against elite opponents? Finally they defeated one of them as well. And not only that Madrid triumphed, but also the manner they won.

Barcelona had players unavailable: backup keeper, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally the winger, an important player may at least be appreciated by his absence. Several players weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal among them. On the bench were several individuals who not begun in La Liga, others who had started just one time; teenagers, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it up front once more. Even their manager was missing, Flick banned and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, was on the touchline three times: he has lost all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of the team’s defensive setup, but their offense struggled well during the match. Of all the things directed at the young player on Sunday, maybe the most telling came from the Brazilian mid-match, mocking the teenager by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for their defense, more porous than before after Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on passers dropping and coordination off, Levante made six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo 5, Sevilla five, Catalan club 3. Previously they trapped the French forward offside eight times in an open clásico; yet, overshadowed by the defeats, was that in the last meeting he got a hat-trick, Real Madrid always likely to get opportunities now.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, in particular. This was a beginning as well as an end in itself. “In the future we’re going to need much of our performance in this game,” Alonso said. The team had shots result in goals five times – three efforts disallowed due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick