“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say a word,” the young star previously stated, but this time he came up short 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; they told him words mean little. And that was just the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, men who never lose.
On the eve this epic clash, young Lamine Yamal who says he abandoned nervousness behind in his hometown suggested that Real Madrid rob and moan, according to reports. Additionally, he offered a reminder that the last time he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his gaze and his shooting ability they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. But that was then and the present differed. And, more mature currently, exactly a year on, his side fell short. He knew, they told him so.
Bellingham scores clásico winner as the Madrid club pull clear of Barcelona
As the match conclusion sounded on a wild, heated latest Madrid-Barca match that was somewhat like past encounters, Lamine Yamal approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than accepting it, Carvajal did the old jibber-jabber motion. It had been challenging following with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and additional efforts ruled out; now it was too much.
Suddenly appeared footballers all around, racing back and forth of view and converging, police separating people away from each other. Amidst the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the invitation to resume this down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, he saying to someone as well they talk to much. Raphinha hurried to intervene with his countryman, the defender also present. “The scene resembled when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.
Turning Point
In April, the French star had written: “Opponents celebrate our losses as if our winning days are over. We’ll be back.” Madrid were defeated in the clásico Copa del Rey final 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the final whistle, ice cubes flying. Two weeks later, they were beaten again. In four clásicos, Madrid were defeated on each occasion, league, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup going to their rivals. They had conceded four, 5, 3 and four. But there is always tomorrow and it turned out he was right.
On just one occasion have the Catalan side previously secured 5 derbies in a row, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking streak concluding with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s perfect record as manager, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go five points ahead at the top in La Liga.
Significance
The Madrid squad required the victory. Their post-match joy reflected this, players dancing together. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu louder and intense compared to for such matches in recent memory: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. The coach said so too. Asked if the win represented a relief, if there had been a psychosis around important matches, a fixation, he shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he acknowledged that the result represented “more than a win, but where we come from and its importance for the squad; the players needed that feeling of securing a victory in a big game.”
In the previous campaign Madrid failed to secure a win any. On fourteen occasions they lost: French side, Italian club, English team, Athletic, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, Valencia and London club all beat them. There wasn’t a single win against a truly big side. The previous manager departed and was replaced by Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won five games at the Club World Cup, signs of tactical organization developing, an idea, however then came PSG.
Season Progress
That defeat belongs to last season, the coach stated. But the next season, his season, began with a winning streak in a row until Atlético came and put 5 past them. The results were positive defeating Oviedo, island team and Pamplona side but what about elite opponents? Finally they defeated a major rival too. And it wasn’t just that Madrid triumphed, it was the way they won.
Barcelona had players out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen were absent. So too Raphinha, whose significance might now be fully recognised by his absence. Others were not at 100%, defender and Lamine Yamal included. On the bench they had five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, two more who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are 19. And defender, Uruguayan star, who finished the match in attack once more. Additionally their manager was absent, Flick suspended and stuck in a radio cabin. His assistant, his assistant, has been in the dugout three times: he suffered defeats in each one.
Game Breakdown
Much is made of the team’s defensive setup, but they did not attack effectively on Sunday. Among the things directed at the young player on Sunday, perhaps the most revealing came from Vinícius mid-match, mocking the teenager by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” As for their defense, more porous compared to past after the defender leaving, defensive intensity on opponents dropping and coordination lacking, Levante created six clear chances against them, Rayo 5, Andalusian side five, Girona 3. Previously they caught the French forward offside eight times in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by losses, was that in the last meeting he got three goals, Real Madrid consistently positioned to get opportunities now.
Key Moments
With this approach, in particular. This was a beginning and also an end in itself. “In the future we will require a lot of our performance today,” the manager commented. The team had the ball in the net five times – three disallowed due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick
