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“Whenever I win they are unable to say a word,” the young star previously remarked, however this time he didn’t win and opponents were coming for him. They said he was overly vocal; came the response that, indeed, they were going to meet him outside; they told him words mean little. This included just the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, men who never lose.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he left fear back in Mataró implied that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and moan, or so it goes. Additionally, he provided a recollection that the last time he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his gaze and a right foot they didn’t know he possessed – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, more mature currently, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

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As the match conclusion went on a wild, intense latest clásico that was somewhat like past encounters, Lamine Yamal walked in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Carvajal made the classic jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging keeping up with everything that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became too much.

Suddenly appeared players everywhere, racing in and out of view and piling in, police separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the melee, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the invitation to resume the dispute in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was being held back, him telling someone else they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger hurried to intervene with his compatriot, the defender there too. “The scene resembled when we youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “Opponents celebrate our losses like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid had just lost the derby Spanish Cup final 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown greeting the end, ice cubes flying. A fortnight afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four encounters, Madrid were defeated on each occasion, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. They had conceded four, 5, three and 4. But there remains tomorrow and it turned out Tchouaméni proved correct.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side ever won five clásicos in a row, Pep Guardiola’s historic run ending with that 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s perfect record in charge, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go a significant margin clear at the top of the table.

What It Means

The Madrid squad required this. Their post-match joy said so, team members celebrating together. So did the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and intense than on a clásico day in recent memory: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. The coach echoed this. When questioned if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if existed a psychosis regarding big games, an obsession, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” Yet he did admit that the result represented “more than three points, and our recent history and what it means for the squad; the boys required that feeling of securing a victory in a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign they failed to secure a win in such matches. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: Lille, Milan, English team, Bilbao, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and London club all beat them. There wasn’t a single win versus a truly big side. The previous manager went and was replaced by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won several victories in the global tournament, signs of a structure emerging, a game plan, but then came PSG.

Season Progress

That is part of the prior year, the coach said. But the next season, his season, started with six wins consecutively until Atlético visited and put 5 against them. It was all well and good beating Oviedo, island team and Pamplona side but what about elite opponents? Now at last they defeated a major rival too. And not only that they won, it was the manner they achieved it.

The opposition were missing unavailable: Joan García, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally Raphinha, an important player may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal among them. Among substitutes were five players who not begun a league game, two more who had started just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. And a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match up front once more. Even head coach was missing, Hansi Flick suspended and stuck in a commentary box. His assistant, Sorg, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he has lost all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of the team’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack well during the match. Among comments that were said at the young player that day, maybe the most telling came from Vinícius during the game, taunting Yamal by saying: “You’re all retreating balls.” As for that backline, more porous compared to past after the defender departing, the pressure on passers decreasing and the timing lacking, Levante made six clear chances against them, another team 5, Sevilla 5, Catalan club three. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé in an offside position eight times in an open clásico; yet, overshadowed by the defeats, is the fact in their most recent match he got three goals, Real Madrid always positioned to create chances now.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, especially. This was a start and also a significant result. “Going forward we will require much of what we did today,” the manager said. The team had shots result in goals five times – three efforts disallowed due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick