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“Whenever I win they are unable to say anything,” the young star once stated, but this time he came up short and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he was overly vocal; came the response that, indeed, they were going to meet him outside; they told him talk is cheap. And that was only the players: there was more from the preachers in media platforms, men who never lose.

On the eve this epic clash, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró suggested that the Madrid side rob and complain, according to reports. He also provided a reminder that on his previous visit he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and a right foot they didn’t know he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, an adult now, exactly a year on, he was beaten back. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets derby winner as the Madrid club open a gap of their rivals

When the final whistle went on a wild, intense latest clásico that felt a little like old times, the Barcelona winger walked towards Madrid’s captain, hand out. Instead of accepting it, Madrid’s captain did the old jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging following with everything that unfolded in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, an encounter of numerous attempts, three goals scored and additional efforts disallowed; now it was too much.

All at once appeared players everywhere, racing back and forth of view and piling in, police pulling people apart. In the middle the melee, Thibaut Courtois took up the offer to continue the dispute down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward was restrained, he saying to another player else they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to stop his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we young,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

In April, the French star had written: “Opponents rejoice in our losses like our winning days are over. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in the clásico Spanish Cup final 3-2 after additional minutes, a collective breakdown following the end, ice cubes flying. A fortnight later, they suffered another loss. Over four clásicos, Madrid were defeated four times, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup won by their rivals. Their defense allowed four, 5, three and 4. But there is always tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

On just one occasion had Barcelona ever secured five derbies consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s historic streak ending with that 5-0 against José Mourinho’s side, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended the coach’s unbeaten start as manager, defeating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points clear at the top of the table.

Significance

Madrid had needed the victory. Their post-match joy said so, players celebrating together. Likewise, the noise, the Bernabéu more vocal and intense than on a clásico day in recent memory: “incredible,” the English midfielder called it. The coach echoed this. Asked whether this was a weight off his shoulders, if existed a mental block regarding big games, an obsession, Xabi Alonso responded: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that the result represented “not just three points, but where we come from and its importance for the squad; the boys needed that feeling of winning a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign Madrid had not won in such matches. Fourteen times they lost: Lille, Italian club, Liverpool, Athletic, Espanyol, Betis, city foes, Valencia and London club each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win versus a top-tier opponent. Carlo Ancelotti went and was replaced by Alonso but it continued. Madrid secured several victories in the global tournament, signs of a structure emerging, a game plan, however then came Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat belongs to the prior year, Alonso stated. But the new campaign, his term, began with a winning streak consecutively until city rivals visited and put five past them. The results were all well and good beating Oviedo, island team and Pamplona side however, against elite opponents? Now at last they had beaten one of them as well. And not only that Madrid triumphed, but also the manner they achieved it.

The opposition were missing unavailable: backup keeper, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and defender were absent. Additionally Raphinha, whose significance might now be appreciated by his absence. Others weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward among them. On the bench they had five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and two who are nineteen. And a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match in attack once more. Additionally head coach was absent, Hansi Flick banned 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 vulnerable high line, yet their offense struggled well during the match. Of all comments that were said at the young player that day, maybe the most telling was from Vinícius mid-match, taunting the teenager by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” As for that backline, more porous compared to past with the defender departing, the pressure on opponents decreasing and coordination lacking, Levante created multiple opportunities against them, Rayo five, Sevilla 5, Girona 3. Last year they caught Kylian Mbappé in an offside position eight times in an open clásico; however, overshadowed by the defeats, was that in the last meeting he scored a hat-trick, Real Madrid consistently positioned to create chances currently.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, in particular. The match served as a beginning as well as a significant result. “Going forward we’re going to need a lot of our performance today,” the manager said. The team had shots result in goals five times – three ruled out due to offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick