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“As long as I win they can’t say a word,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, however on this occasion he came up short and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; came the response that, yeah, they were going to see him off the pitch; the message was words mean little. And that was only the players: there was more from the preachers in their pulpits, individuals who always have opinions.

Just before this epic clash, the teenager who claims he left fear behind in Mataró suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. Additionally, he offered a recollection that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a spark in his gaze and his shooting ability was unexpected he had – his team triumphed 4-0. But that was then and this was now. And, an adult currently, exactly a year on, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham scores derby decisive goal as the Madrid club open a gap of their rivals

As the final whistle sounded on an intense, intense 262nd Madrid-Barca match that felt somewhat like old times, Lamine Yamal walked towards Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Carvajal made the old jibber-jabber gesture. The match was hard enough keeping up with all the action that happened in the 105 minutes that went before, an encounter of 38 shots, three goals scored and three more ruled out; now it was too much.

All at once appeared players everywhere, running in and out of view and piling in, police separating people away from each other. In the middle the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the offer to continue the dispute in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him saying to someone as well they talk to much. Barcelona’s winger was running to stop his compatriot, the defender there too. “It was when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni commented.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “They celebrate our defeats as if we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid were defeated in a derby Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes greeting the end, ice cubes being thrown. Two weeks later, they were beaten again. Over four clásicos, the team were defeated four times, league, cup and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. They had conceded 4, 5, three and four. But there remains the future and it turned out Tchouaméni proved correct.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side previously secured 5 clásicos in a row, Pep Guardiola’s historic run concluding with the famous 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s perfect record in charge, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin clear at the top in La Liga.

Significance

Madrid had needed this. The celebration reflected this, team members dancing in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu louder and more edgy compared to for such matches in recent memory: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham described it. The coach echoed this. When questioned whether this was a relief, or there had been a mental block regarding important matches, a fixation, he shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that this was “not just a win, but our recent history and its importance to us; the players needed that feeling of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign they had not won any. Fourteen times they were defeated: Lille, Milan, English team, Bilbao, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and London club each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win versus a truly big side. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won five games at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization emerging, a game plan, however they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of last season, Alonso said. But the next season, under his guidance term, started with six wins in a row until city rivals visited and put five against them. It was all well and good beating newly promoted, island team and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Finally they had beaten one of them as well. And not only that Madrid won, but also the way they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. So too Raphinha, an important player may at least be fully recognised by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward included. On the bench were five players who not begun in La Liga, two more who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it up front once more. Even their manager was missing, Hansi Flick banned and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, was in the dugout on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of the team’s defensive setup, yet they did not attack effectively during the match. Of all comments directed to Lamine Yamal that day, perhaps the most revealing was from Vinícius during the game, mocking Yamal by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” As for that backline, leakier than before after the defender departing, the pressure on passers dropping and coordination lacking, one opponent created six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Sevilla five, Catalan club 3. Last year they trapped Kylian Mbappé offside eight times in an open clásico; yet, lost amid losses, is the fact in their most recent match he scored three goals, Madrid always positioned to get opportunities currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, especially. This was a beginning and also an end in itself. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” Alonso said. They put the ball in the net five times – three efforts disallowed due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick