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“Whenever I emerge victorious they are unable to say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously remarked, however this time he came up short and they closed in for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, yeah, they would meet him outside; they told him talk is cheap. This included only the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, individuals who never lose.

On the eve the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear behind in his hometown suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and moan, or so it goes. He also offered a recollection that the last time he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and the present differed. And, more mature now, exactly a year on, he was beaten back. He knew, they told him so.

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As the match conclusion sounded on a wild, intense 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt somewhat like old times, the Barcelona winger walked towards Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Carvajal made the classic talking gesture. It had been challenging keeping up with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals scored and three more disallowed; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once appeared players everywhere, running in and out of sight and converging, security separating people apart. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper was accepting the invitation to continue this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, he telling another player as well they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger was running to stop his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “It was when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni commented.

Shift in Momentum

In April, Tchouaméni had written: “They rejoice in our defeats as if our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in the clásico Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes greeting the end, projectiles being thrown. Two weeks later, they were beaten again. In four encounters, the team were defeated four times, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. Their defense allowed four, 5, three and 4. But there is always the future and it turned out he was right.

Only once have the Catalan side ever secured five derbies consecutively, under Guardiola historic streak concluding with the famous 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points clear at the top of the table.

Significance

Madrid had needed the victory. The celebration said so, players dancing in circles. Likewise, the noise, their stadium more vocal and intense compared to on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. The coach echoed this. When questioned if this was a weight off his shoulders, or existed a mental block around big games, a fixation, he responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he did admit that this was “not just three points, but our recent history and its importance for the squad; the boys required the experience of winning a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign Madrid had not won any. Fourteen times they lost: French side, Milan, Liverpool, Athletic, Espanyol, Betis, city foes, eastern side and London club all beat them. There wasn’t one victory against a truly big side. The previous manager went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. The team secured several victories in the global tournament, signs of a structure developing, a game plan, however they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That defeat belongs to last season, Alonso said. But the next season, under his guidance season, began with six wins in a row before Atlético visited and put five against them. The results were positive beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Pamplona side but what about elite opponents? Now at last they defeated one of them too. And not only that they won, it was the way they achieved it.

The opposition were missing unavailable: backup keeper, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and defender were all missing. Additionally the winger, an important player might now be fully recognised in absentia. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and Lamine Yamal among them. On the bench were several individuals who hadn’t started in La Liga, two more who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and two who are nineteen. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it in attack once more. Even head coach was absent, Hansi Flick banned and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, was on the touchline on three occasions: he suffered defeats in each one.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of the team’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack well during the match. Of all comments directed at the young player on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing came from Vinícius during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for their defense, more porous compared to past after Iñigo Martínez leaving, defensive intensity on opponents dropping and coordination off, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, Rayo 5, Andalusian side five, Catalan club three. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by losses, was that in their most recent match he scored a hat-trick, Real Madrid consistently likely to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, especially. This was a start and also a significant result. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” Alonso commented. They put shots result in goals five times – three efforts disallowed for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick