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“Whenever I emerge victorious they can’t say anything,” the young star previously remarked, but on this occasion he didn’t win and opponents closed in for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; came the response that, indeed, they were going to see him off the pitch; the message was talk is cheap. And that was only the players: further remarks from commentators in media platforms, individuals who never lose.

On the eve this epic clash, the teenager who claims he left fear back in his hometown implied that the Madrid side rob and moan, or so it goes. He also offered a reminder that the last time he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his gaze and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. And, an adult now, precisely twelve months later, he was beaten back. It was clear, they told him so.

Bellingham scores derby decisive goal as Real Madrid open a gap of Barcelona

When the final whistle sounded on a wild, heated latest Madrid-Barca match that was a little like old times, Lamine Yamal approached towards Madrid’s captain, hand out. Rather than taking it, Madrid’s captain did the classic jibber-jabber motion. It had been challenging keeping up with everything that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of numerous attempts, multiple scores recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

Suddenly appeared players everywhere, running in and out of sight and piling in, security pulling people away from each other. Amidst the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue the dispute down the tunnel. Vinícius was being held back, he saying to someone as well they talk to much. Raphinha hurried to stop his compatriot, the defender there too. “The scene resembled when we youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni commented.

Turning Point

In April, Tchouaméni posted: “Opponents celebrate our defeats like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in the clásico Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 after additional minutes, emotional scenes greeting the final whistle, projectiles flying. Two weeks later, they were beaten again. In four clásicos, the team were defeated four times, La Liga, cup and Spanish Super Cup won by their rivals. They had conceded 4, 5, three and four. But there is always tomorrow and it turned out he proved correct.

Only once have the Catalan side ever secured 5 derbies in a row, under Guardiola historic streak ending with the famous 5-0 versus Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move a significant margin ahead in first place in La Liga.

What It Means

Madrid had needed this. The celebration said so, team members celebrating in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium more vocal and intense than for such matches for years: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham called it. Manager Xabi Alonso said so too. Asked whether the win represented a relief, or there had been a psychosis around big games, an obsession, Xabi Alonso responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he acknowledged that the result represented “not just a win, but where we come from and its importance for the squad; the players required the experience of winning a big game.”

In the previous campaign Madrid had not won any. Fourteen times they lost: French side, Milan, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, Valencia and London club each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win against a top-tier opponent. The previous manager went and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid secured several victories at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization emerging, a game plan, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That is part of last season, Alonso stated. But the next season, his season, started with six wins consecutively before Atlético came and put five past them. The results were positive defeating newly promoted, Mallorca and Pamplona side however, against the big teams? Now at last they defeated one of them too. And it wasn’t just that Madrid won, it was the way they achieved it.

Barcelona were missing out: Joan García, young midfielder, attacking midfielder, Robert Lewandowski and defender were all missing. Additionally the winger, whose significance may at least be fully recognised by his absence. Several players were not at 100%, defender and young forward included. On the bench were several individuals who not begun in La Liga, two more who featured only once; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and a couple who are 19. And defender, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match in attack once more. Even head coach was missing, Flick suspended and stuck in a radio cabin. His assistant, Sorg, has been in the dugout three times: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of the team’s defensive setup, yet their offense struggled effectively during the match. Among comments directed at the young player that day, perhaps the most revealing came from the Brazilian during the game, taunting the teenager by telling him: “You’re all backwards passes.” As for that backline, more porous than before with the defender departing, the pressure on passers decreasing and coordination lacking, one opponent made multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, another team five, Sevilla five, Catalan club 3. Previously they trapped the French forward offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, lost amid losses, is the fact in their most recent match he scored a hat-trick, Real Madrid always positioned to get opportunities now.

Key Moments

Playing like this, especially. This was a start and also an end in itself. “Going forward we will require a lot of what we did today,” Alonso commented. They put the ball in the net five times – three ruled out for offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick