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“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say anything,” the young star previously remarked, but this time he came up short and they were coming for him. They said he was overly vocal; came the response that, yeah, they would see him off the pitch; they told him talk is cheap. This included just the players: further remarks from the preachers in media platforms, individuals who always have opinions.

Just before the clásico, young Lamine Yamal who claims he left fear behind in his hometown suggested that the Madrid side rob and moan, according to reports. Additionally, he provided a recollection that on his previous visit he stepped onto Madrid’s home ground – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his gaze and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and the present differed. Moreover, more mature now, precisely twelve months later, his side fell short. He knew, they told him so.

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When the final whistle sounded on a wild, heated latest Madrid-Barca match that felt a little like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, hand out. Rather than accepting it, Madrid’s captain did the classic jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging following with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that went before, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

Suddenly appeared footballers everywhere, racing in and out of sight and piling in, police pulling people away from each other. Amidst the scuffle, Thibaut Courtois was accepting the invitation to resume the dispute in the dressing room area. The Brazilian forward was restrained, he saying to another player as well they talk to much. Raphinha hurried to intervene with his compatriot, the defender also present. “The scene resembled our young,” the midfielder said.

Turning Point

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “They celebrate our losses like we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Madrid had just lost the derby Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the final whistle, projectiles being thrown. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. In four encounters, the team had lost on each occasion, league, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona. Their defense allowed four, five, 3 and four. However there remains the future and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

Only once have the Catalan side ever secured five clásicos in a row, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking streak ending with the famous 5-0 against José Mourinho’s team, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Madrid brought to a close the coach’s unbeaten start in charge, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move five points clear at the top of the table.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. Their post-match joy reflected this, players celebrating together. So did the noise, their stadium more vocal and intense than on a clásico day in recent memory: “incredible,” the English midfielder described it. The coach said so too. Asked if this was a weight off his shoulders, or there had been a psychosis around big games, a fixation, he responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he acknowledged that the result represented “more than three points, and our recent history and what it means to us; the players needed the experience of winning a major fixture.”

Last season they had not won in such matches. On fourteen occasions they lost: French side, Milan, Liverpool, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, eastern side and Arsenal each defeated them. They did not achieve a single win against a top-tier opponent. The previous manager departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso but it continued. Madrid won several victories in the global tournament, indications of tactical organization developing, a game plan, however they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That belongs to the prior year, the coach stated. But the new campaign, his term, began with six wins consecutively until Atlético visited and put five against them. It was positive beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Finally they had beaten one of them as well. And not only that they won, it was the manner they won.

The opposition were missing unavailable: backup keeper, Gavi, attacking midfielder, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally Raphinha, whose significance may at least be appreciated in absentia. Others were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and young forward among them. Among substitutes they had five players who not begun a league game, others who had started just one time; teenagers, four 18-year-olds and two who are 19. Plus defender, Uruguayan star, who finished the match up front once more. Additionally their manager was missing, Hansi Flick suspended and located in a commentary box. His assistant, his assistant, has been on the touchline three times: he has lost all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much is made of the team’s defensive setup, but they did not attack well on Sunday. Among the things directed to Lamine Yamal that day, maybe the most telling came from Vinícius mid-match, taunting Yamal by saying: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for that backline, leakier compared to past after Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on passers dropping and the timing lacking, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Andalusian side 5, Catalan club 3. Last year they caught the French forward offside on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; yet, lost amid losses, is the fact in their most recent match he scored a hat-trick, Madrid consistently positioned to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

With this approach, in particular. This was a beginning as well as a significant result. “In the future we’re going to need a lot of our performance in this game,” the manager commented. The team had the ball result in goals five times – three disallowed for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick