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“As long as I win they can’t say anything,” the young star once remarked, however this time he came up short and they were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, indeed, 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, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who says he abandoned nervousness back in his hometown implied that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a recollection that the last time he had been Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana braces, a glint in his eye and a right foot was unexpected he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. And, more mature currently, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets clásico winner as Real Madrid open a gap of Barcelona

When the final whistle sounded on a wild, intense 262nd clásico that was somewhat like old times, the Barcelona winger walked in the direction of Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Carvajal did the old talking motion. It had been challenging following with all the action that happened in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores recorded and additional efforts ruled out; now it was too much.

Suddenly there were players all around, racing back and forth of sight and piling in, police separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the melee, Thibaut Courtois took up the invitation to continue this down the tunnel. Vinícius was being held back, he telling another player as well they talk to much. Barcelona’s winger was running to stop his compatriot, the defender also present. “The scene resembled our young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni commented.

Turning Point

In April, the French star posted: “They celebrate our defeats like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Madrid had just lost a clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown following the final whistle, projectiles flying. Two weeks later, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, Madrid were defeated on each occasion, La Liga, cup and Spanish Super Cup going to Barcelona. They had conceded 4, five, 3 and 4. But there is always the future and it turned out Tchouaméni was right.

Only once have the Catalan side previously won five derbies in a row, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking run ending with that 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid brought to a close the coach’s perfect record in charge, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move a significant margin clear in first place in La Liga.

Significance

Madrid required the victory. The celebration reflected this, players celebrating in circles. So did the noise, their stadium more vocal and more edgy than on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. When questioned if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, or there had been a psychosis regarding important matches, an obsession, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” But he acknowledged that this was “not just a win, but where we come from and its importance for the squad; the players needed the experience of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign they failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they were defeated: Lille, Italian club, Liverpool, Athletic, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve one victory versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager went and was replaced by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team secured several victories at the Club World Cup, indications of a structure emerging, a game plan, but then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat is part of last season, the coach said. But the new campaign, under his guidance term, began with six wins in a row before city rivals came and put 5 against them. It was all well and good beating newly promoted, Mallorca and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Now at last they defeated one of them as well. Moreover not only that they won, it was the manner they achieved it.

Barcelona had players out: Joan García, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were all missing. So too the winger, an important player might now be appreciated by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and Lamine Yamal among them. On the bench they had five players who not begun in La Liga, others who had started just one time; teenagers, young talents and two who are 19. And defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it up front again. Additionally head coach was absent, Hansi Flick suspended and stuck in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, has been in the dugout three times: he suffered defeats in all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack effectively on Sunday. Of all comments that were said at the young player on Sunday, maybe the most telling was from the Brazilian mid-match, taunting Yamal by telling him: “Your play is backwards passes.” As for that backline, leakier than before with Iñigo Martínez departing, defensive intensity on opponents dropping and coordination lacking, one opponent created six clear chances versus Barcelona, Rayo 5, Sevilla 5, Catalan club 3. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; yet, lost amid losses, is the fact in the last meeting he scored three goals, Madrid always positioned to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, especially. The match served as a beginning and also a significant result. “In the future we will require much of our performance in this game,” Alonso commented. They put shots result in goals on five occasions – three efforts disallowed for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick