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“As long as I win they are unable to say a word,” Lamine Yamal once stated, but on this occasion he didn’t win and they were coming for him. They said he spoke too much; they replied that, yeah, they would see him off the pitch; they told him talk is cheap. This included only the players: there was more from commentators in their pulpits, men who always have opinions.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he left fear back in his hometown suggested that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and moan, according to reports. He also offered a reminder that on his previous visit he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – a kid with blaugrana braces, a spark in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he possessed – his team triumphed 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. And, more mature now, exactly a year on, he was beaten back. It was clear, they told him so.

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When the match conclusion sounded on an intense, intense 262nd clásico that was a little like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Madrid’s captain did the classic jibber-jabber motion. The match was hard enough keeping up with all the action that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that went before, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became too much.

Suddenly appeared players all around, racing back and forth of sight and converging, security pulling individuals away from each other. Amidst the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue the dispute down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was being held back, he saying to another player as well they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to stop his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled our youth,” the midfielder said.

Shift in Momentum

Earlier this year, Tchouaméni had written: “They rejoice in our defeats like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in a derby Spanish Cup showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the final whistle, projectiles flying. A fortnight afterwards, they were beaten again. In four clásicos, the team had lost four times, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup won by their rivals. Their defense allowed four, five, 3 and four. However there is always tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

Only once had Barcelona ever won 5 clásicos in a row, under Guardiola record-breaking run concluding with that 5-0 versus Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Madrid ended the coach’s perfect record as manager, beating Barcelona 2-1 to move five points ahead in first place of the table.

What It Means

Madrid required the victory. Their post-match joy said so, players dancing in circles. So did the noise, the Bernabéu more vocal and more edgy compared to for such matches for years: “incredible,” the English midfielder described it. Manager Xabi Alonso said so too. Asked whether the win represented a weight off his shoulders, or existed a psychosis regarding important matches, a fixation, Xabi Alonso responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he did admit that this was “not just a win, but where we come from and its importance to us; the players needed that feeling of securing a victory in a big game.”

Last season Madrid had not won any. Fourteen times they were defeated: French side, Milan, English team, Bilbao, city rivals, Betis, Atlético, eastern side and London club all beat them. They did not achieve a single win against a truly big side. The previous manager went and succeeded by Alonso yet the trend persisted. Madrid won several victories at the Club World Cup, indications of tactical organization developing, an idea, however they faced PSG.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of last season, the coach stated. But the next season, under his guidance season, began with six wins consecutively before Atlético visited and scored five past them. It was all well and good defeating Oviedo, island team and Osasuna however, against elite opponents? Now at last they had beaten one of them too. Moreover it wasn’t just that they triumphed, it was the way they won.

The opposition were missing out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and defender were absent. Additionally Raphinha, an important player might now be appreciated in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, defender and young forward among them. Among substitutes were several individuals who not begun a league game, two more who had started just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. Plus defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it up front again. Additionally their manager was missing, Hansi Flick banned and stuck in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, was on the touchline three times: he has lost all of them.

Tactical Analysis

Much discussion focuses of the team’s defensive setup, yet they did not attack effectively on Sunday. Among comments that were said at the young player that day, perhaps the most telling came from Vinícius mid-match, mocking the teenager by telling him: “Your play is retreating balls.” As for their defense, leakier than before after Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on passers decreasing and the timing lacking, Levante created multiple opportunities against them, Rayo five, Sevilla five, Girona 3. Last year they caught the French forward in an offside position on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, lost amid the defeats, was that in their most recent match he got a hat-trick, Real Madrid always positioned to create chances now.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, especially. This was a start and also an end in itself. “Going forward we will require much of our performance today,” the manager said. The team had shots result in goals on five occasions – three efforts ruled out for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick