🔗 Share this article

“Whenever I win they can’t say anything,” the young star once stated, but this time he didn’t win and opponents closed in for him. They said he spoke too much; came the response that, indeed, they were going to meet him outside; they told him words mean little. And that was just the players: there was more from the preachers in their pulpits, individuals who never lose.

On the eve the clásico, the teenager who says he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró implied that Real Madrid rob and complain, or so it goes. He also provided a recollection that the last time he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – a kid with blaugrana dental work, a spark in his eye and his shooting ability they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and this was now. Moreover, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. It was clear, they told him so.

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

As the match conclusion sounded on an intense, heated latest clásico that felt somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, hand out. Instead of accepting it, Carvajal did the classic jibber-jabber gesture. The match was hard enough keeping up with all the action that happened in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of 38 shots, three goals scored and three more ruled out; now it was impossible.

All at once there were players all around, racing back and forth of sight and piling in, security separating people away from each other. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper was accepting the offer to resume this in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was restrained, he saying to someone as well they talk to much. Barcelona’s winger was running to intervene with his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled our young,” the midfielder said.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, the French star posted: “Opponents celebrate our losses as if our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Real Madrid had just lost the derby Spanish Cup final 3-2 after additional minutes, emotional scenes following the end, projectiles flying. Two weeks afterwards, they were beaten again. Over four clásicos, the team were defeated on each occasion, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona. They had conceded four, five, three and 4. However there remains the future and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

Only once have the Catalan side previously won 5 clásicos consecutively, under Guardiola record-breaking run concluding with the famous 5-0 versus Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start in charge, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move five points ahead in first place in La Liga.

Significance

Madrid had needed this. The celebration reflected this, players dancing in circles. So did the noise, the Bernabéu more vocal and intense compared to on a clásico day for years: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham described it. The coach echoed this. Asked whether the win represented a relief, or there had been a mental block around big games, an obsession, he shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” Yet he acknowledged that this was “more than three points, and our recent history and its importance for the squad; the boys needed the experience of winning a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign Madrid failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they lost: Lille, Milan, Liverpool, Bilbao, city rivals, Sevilla-based, Atlético, Valencia and London club all beat them. They did not achieve a single win against a top-tier opponent. The previous manager went and was replaced by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid secured five games at the Club World Cup, indications of a structure developing, a game plan, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That is part of last season, Alonso stated. But the new campaign, his term, began with six wins in a row until city rivals visited and put 5 against them. It was positive defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Now at last they had beaten a major rival as well. Moreover not only that Madrid won, it was the way they won.

The opposition had players unavailable: Joan García, Gavi, attacking midfielder, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally Raphinha, an important player may at least be fully recognised by his absence. Several players weren’t fully fit, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. Among substitutes were several individuals who not begun a league game, others who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are 19. Plus a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who ended it up front once more. Additionally their manager was absent, Hansi Flick suspended and stuck in a radio cabin. His assistant, his assistant, has been in the dugout three times: he suffered defeats in all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack well on Sunday. Among the things directed at the young player that day, perhaps the most telling came from the Brazilian during the game, mocking Yamal by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for that backline, leakier than before with Iñigo Martínez departing, defensive intensity on passers dropping and the timing off, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, another team five, Andalusian side five, Catalan club three. Previously they trapped the French forward in an offside position eight times in an open clásico; however, lost amid the defeats, is the fact in the last meeting he got a hat-trick, Madrid always likely to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, especially. The match served as a start and also a significant result. “Going forward we will require a lot of what we did in this game,” the manager commented. The team had the ball in the net five times – three disallowed due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick