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“As long as I emerge victorious they can’t say anything,” the young star previously stated, but this time he didn’t win and they were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied 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 commentators in media platforms, individuals who always have opinions.

Just before the clásico, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness behind in Mataró suggested that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and complain, according to reports. He also provided a reminder that the last time he had been the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and his shooting ability they didn’t know he had – his team triumphed 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.

Bellingham scores derby decisive goal as Real Madrid open a gap of their rivals

As the final whistle sounded on an intense, heated latest clásico that felt somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Carvajal made the old talking motion. The match was challenging keeping up with all the action that unfolded in the 105 minutes that went before, an encounter of 38 shots, multiple scores scored and additional efforts disallowed; at that moment it became too much.

All at once there were footballers all around, racing in and out of view and converging, security pulling individuals away from each other. In the middle the scuffle, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to resume this down the tunnel. Vinícius was being held back, him telling another player as well they talk to much. Raphinha was running to intervene with his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger there too. “The scene resembled when we youth,” the midfielder commented.

Turning Point

In April, the French star posted: “They celebrate our losses like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in a clásico Spanish Cup final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown greeting the final whistle, ice cubes flying. A fortnight later, they suffered another loss. In four encounters, the team had lost on each occasion, league, Copa del Rey and Super Cup won by their rivals. They had conceded 4, five, three and 4. However there is always the future and as it happened Tchouaméni was right.

On just one occasion have the Catalan side ever secured five clásicos consecutively, Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking streak concluding with that 5-0 against Mourinho’s team, and it was not repeated. This past weekend, Madrid ended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start in charge, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to go a significant margin ahead in first place of the table.

What It Means

Madrid required the victory. Their post-match joy reflected this, team members dancing together. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, the Bernabéu more vocal and intense compared to for such matches for years: “amazing,” Jude Bellingham described it. The coach echoed this. Asked if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if there had been a mental block around big games, a fixation, Xabi Alonso responded: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he acknowledged that the result represented “not just a win, and our recent history and what it means to us; the boys needed the experience of winning a major fixture.”

Last season Madrid had not won in such matches. On fourteen occasions they were defeated: French side, Milan, Liverpool, Bilbao, Espanyol, Sevilla-based, city foes, eastern side and London club each defeated them. They did not achieve one victory against a truly big side. Carlo Ancelotti departed and was replaced by Xabi Alonso but it continued. The team won several victories in the global tournament, indications of a structure emerging, a game plan, however they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Season Progress

That defeat belongs to last season, the coach said. But the next season, under his guidance season, started with a winning streak consecutively until Atlético visited and put five past them. The results were all well and good defeating newly promoted, island team and Pamplona side however, against elite opponents? Finally they defeated a major rival too. And not only that Madrid won, it was the manner they achieved it.

The opposition were missing out: backup keeper, Gavi, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally the winger, whose significance might now be fully recognised in absentia. Several players weren’t fully fit, defender and young forward among them. Among substitutes were several individuals who not begun in La Liga, two more who had started just one time; two 17-year-olds, young talents and a couple who are nineteen. Plus a centre-back, Uruguayan star, who finished the match in attack once more. Even head coach was absent, Flick banned and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, his assistant, was in the dugout on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Tactical Analysis

Much is made of the team’s vulnerable high line, yet they did not attack effectively during the match. Of all the things directed at the young player that day, maybe the most telling was from the Brazilian during the game, taunting the teenager by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” As for that backline, more porous compared to past after the defender leaving, the pressure on opponents decreasing and coordination off, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, Rayo five, Andalusian side five, Girona three. Previously they caught the French forward offside on multiple occasions in an open clásico; however, lost amid the defeats, was that in their most recent match he got three goals, Madrid consistently positioned to create chances now.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, especially. The match served as a start and also a significant result. “Going forward we will require much of what we did in this game,” the manager commented. The team had the ball result in goals five times – three efforts disallowed for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick