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“As long as I emerge victorious they are unable to say anything,” Lamine Yamal previously stated, however this time he didn’t win and opponents closed in for him. They said he was overly vocal; they replied that, yeah, they would meet him outside; the message was talk is cheap. This included just the players: there was more from the preachers in their pulpits, individuals who always have opinions.

On the eve this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear back in Mataró suggested that the Madrid side rob and moan, or so it goes. Additionally, he provided a recollection that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and his shooting ability was unexpected he possessed – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, an adult currently, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

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As the match conclusion sounded on a wild, heated 262nd clásico that felt a little like old times, Lamine Yamal approached towards Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Carvajal did the old jibber-jabber motion. The match was hard enough following with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, an encounter of 38 shots, three goals recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became too much.

All at once there were players all around, running in and out of sight and piling in, security separating people apart. In the middle the melee, Thibaut Courtois took up the invitation to resume this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, he saying to someone else they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger was running to stop his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “The scene resembled our youth,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “They rejoice in our defeats as if our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid had just lost a clásico Spanish Cup final 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, ice cubes being thrown. Two weeks later, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, Madrid were defeated four times, La Liga, cup and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. They had conceded 4, 5, three and 4. But there remains the future and it turned out he was right.

Only once have the Catalan side ever won 5 clásicos consecutively, under Guardiola historic streak concluding with that 5-0 against Mourinho’s team, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s perfect record as manager, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move five points ahead at the top in La Liga.

What It Means

The Madrid squad required this. The celebration said so, team members dancing in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu louder and intense than on a clásico day for years: “amazing,” the English midfielder described it. The coach echoed this. Asked if this was a weight off his shoulders, or there had been a psychosis around big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he acknowledged that the result represented “not just three points, and our recent history and what it means to us; the boys needed that feeling of winning a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign they had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they were defeated: French side, Italian club, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Sevilla-based, Atlético, Valencia and Arsenal all beat them. They did not achieve one victory versus a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti departed and succeeded by Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid secured several victories in the global tournament, indications of a structure emerging, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That belongs to last season, Alonso stated. But the next season, under his guidance season, began with six wins in a row until Atlético visited and scored 5 past them. It was all well and good beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Finally they had beaten a major rival as well. And not only that Madrid won, it was the manner they won.

Barcelona had players unavailable: backup keeper, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and defender were all missing. Additionally Raphinha, an important player might now be appreciated in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. Among substitutes they had five players who not begun in La Liga, others who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and two who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it up front again. Even head coach was absent, Hansi Flick banned and located in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, has been in the dugout three times: he suffered defeats in each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack well on Sunday. Of all comments that were said to Lamine Yamal on Sunday, maybe the most revealing was from the Brazilian during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for their defense, leakier than before with Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on passers dropping and coordination lacking, one opponent created multiple opportunities against them, another team five, Andalusian side 5, Girona three. Previously they caught Kylian Mbappé in an offside position eight times in a high-scoring game; yet, overshadowed by losses, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Madrid always likely to get opportunities currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, in particular. The match served as a beginning and also an end in itself. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of what we did today,” Alonso commented. The team had the ball in the net five times – three ruled out for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick