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“Whenever I win they can’t say anything,” the young star previously remarked, but this time he didn’t win and they closed in for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, indeed, they were going to meet him off the pitch; the message was talk is cheap. This included only the players: there was more from commentators in their pulpits, individuals who never lose.

On the eve the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who says he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró suggested that the Madrid side rob and moan, according to reports. Additionally, he offered a reminder that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. Yet that was past and the present differed. And, an adult currently, exactly a year on, he was beaten back. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets derby winner as the Madrid club pull clear of Barcelona

When the match conclusion went on a wild, intense latest clásico that felt somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger walked towards Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Madrid’s captain did the classic talking motion. The match was hard enough keeping up with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, a match of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and additional efforts disallowed; at that moment it became impossible.

All at once appeared players all around, racing back and forth of view and piling in, police separating people away from each other. In the middle the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to resume the dispute in the dressing room area. Vinícius was restrained, he saying to another player as well they talk to much. Raphinha was running to intervene with his countryman, the defender also present. “The scene resembled our youth,” the midfielder commented.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, the French star had written: “Opponents celebrate our losses like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost a derby Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes greeting the end, ice cubes being thrown. A fortnight afterwards, they were beaten again. In four encounters, Madrid had lost on each occasion, La Liga, cup and Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona. They had conceded 4, five, 3 and 4. However there is always tomorrow and it turned out Tchouaméni proved correct.

Only once have the Catalan side ever won five derbies in a row, under Guardiola historic run ending with that 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s perfect record in charge, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go a significant margin ahead in first place of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed this. Their post-match joy reflected this, players celebrating together. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu louder and more edgy compared to on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” the English midfielder described it. The coach echoed this. When questioned if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if there had been a psychosis around important matches, an obsession, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he acknowledged that the result represented “more than a win, but where we come from and what it means for the squad; the players needed the experience of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign Madrid failed to secure a win any. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: Lille, Milan, Liverpool, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, Valencia and Arsenal each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team won several victories at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization developing, a game plan, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That belongs to the prior year, the coach said. But the next season, his season, started with six wins in a row before Atlético came and put five against them. It was positive defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna but what about elite opponents? Now at last they had beaten a major rival too. And not only that they triumphed, but also the manner they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing unavailable: backup keeper, Gavi, attacking midfielder, star striker and defender were all missing. So too the winger, whose significance may at least be fully recognised in absentia. Several players weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal among them. On the bench they had several individuals who not begun in La Liga, others who had started only once; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are nineteen. Plus defender, Uruguayan star, who finished the match in attack once more. Even head coach was absent, Flick suspended and stuck in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, was in the dugout three times: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, yet their offense struggled effectively during the match. Among comments directed at the young player that day, perhaps the most revealing was from Vinícius mid-match, mocking the teenager by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for that backline, leakier compared to past after the defender leaving, the pressure on opponents decreasing and coordination lacking, Levante made multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, another team 5, Andalusian side five, Girona three. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé in an offside position on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by losses, was that in the last meeting he scored a hat-trick, Real Madrid always positioned to create chances now.

Key Moments

With this approach, in particular. The match served as a beginning and also a significant result. “In the future we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” the manager commented. The team had shots in the net on five occasions – three efforts ruled out due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick