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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 they closed in for him. They said he was overly vocal; came the response that, yeah, they would see him outside; they told him talk is cheap. This included just the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, individuals who always have opinions.

On the eve this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who claims he left fear behind in Mataró implied that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and moan, or so it goes. Additionally, he provided a reminder that on his previous visit he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his gaze and his shooting ability they didn’t know he possessed – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, more mature now, exactly a year on, he was beaten back. He knew, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets clásico winner as Real Madrid pull clear of Barcelona

When the final whistle sounded on an intense, heated 262nd Madrid-Barca match that was somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Carvajal made the classic talking motion. The match was hard enough keeping up with everything that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores scored and three more disallowed; now it was too much.

Suddenly appeared footballers everywhere, running back and forth of sight and piling in, security separating people apart. In the middle the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the invitation to continue this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was restrained, he saying to someone as well they talk to much. Raphinha hurried to intervene with his compatriot, the defender also present. “It was our youth,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

In April, the French star had written: “They rejoice in our defeats as if we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Madrid were defeated in a clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, projectiles flying. A fortnight afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, the team had lost on each occasion, La Liga, cup and Super Cup going to Barcelona. Their defense allowed four, 5, three and 4. However there is always tomorrow and it turned out Tchouaméni was right.

Only once had Barcelona previously secured 5 clásicos consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic streak concluding with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Madrid brought to a close the coach’s unbeaten start as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points ahead in first place of the table.

What It Means

The Madrid squad required the victory. The celebration reflected this, players celebrating in circles. So did the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu more vocal and more edgy than on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. Asked whether this was a relief, or there had been a psychosis regarding big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso 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 what it means for the squad; the players needed the experience of securing a victory in a big game.”

In the previous campaign they had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they lost: Lille, Milan, English team, Bilbao, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, Atlético, eastern side and London club all beat them. They did not achieve one victory versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager went and was replaced by Xabi Alonso but it continued. Madrid won five games in the global tournament, indications of tactical organization emerging, a game plan, however then came PSG.

Season Progress

That is part of the prior year, the coach said. But the next season, under his guidance season, started with six wins consecutively until Atlético came and scored five against them. It was all well and good beating newly promoted, Mallorca and Pamplona side but what about the big teams? Finally they defeated a major rival too. Moreover it wasn’t just that they triumphed, it was the manner they achieved it.

The opposition had players out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were absent. So too Raphinha, an important player may at least be appreciated by his absence. Several players weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. On the bench were several individuals who not begun in La Liga, two more who had started only once; teenagers, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match up front again. Even their manager was missing, Flick banned and stuck in a radio cabin. His assistant, Sorg, has been in the dugout three times: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’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 revealing was from Vinícius mid-match, taunting the teenager by telling him: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for their defense, more porous compared to past after the defender departing, defensive intensity on opponents decreasing and the timing lacking, one opponent made six clear chances against them, another team five, Sevilla 5, Catalan club 3. Previously they caught the French forward offside eight times in a high-scoring game; however, lost amid the defeats, was that in their most recent match he scored three goals, Real Madrid always likely to get opportunities now.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. This was a start and also an end in itself. “In the future we will require much of what we did in this game,” Alonso commented. The team had the ball in the net five times – three disallowed for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick