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“Whenever I win they are unable to say anything,” the young star once stated, but this time he didn’t win and opponents were coming for him. Comments were made he spoke too much; they replied that, indeed, they were going to see him outside; they told him talk is cheap. This included just the players: further remarks from the preachers in their pulpits, men who never lose.

On the eve this epic clash, the teenager who claims he abandoned nervousness back in Mataró implied that the Madrid side benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. Additionally, he provided a reminder that the last time 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 – he beat them 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, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham scores derby winner as the Madrid club pull clear of Barcelona

When the match conclusion sounded on a wild, intense latest clásico that was a little like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached in the direction of Madrid’s captain, offering a handshake. Instead of accepting it, Madrid’s captain made the classic jibber-jabber motion. It had been hard enough keeping up with everything that happened in over an hour and forty-five that preceded it, a match of numerous attempts, multiple scores scored and additional efforts ruled out; at that moment it became too much.

Suddenly there were footballers all around, racing back and forth of view and piling in, security separating individuals away from each other. Amidst the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper took up the offer to continue this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was restrained, him telling someone else they are too vocal. Barcelona’s winger hurried to intervene with his countryman, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “The scene resembled our young,” the midfielder commented.

Shift in Momentum

In April, Tchouaméni posted: “They rejoice in our losses like we will never win again. We will return stronger.” Madrid were defeated in the derby Copa del Rey showpiece 3-2 in extra time, emotional scenes following the end, projectiles flying. Two weeks later, they were beaten again. Over four encounters, the team had lost four times, league, cup and Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona. They had conceded 4, 5, 3 and four. However there is always tomorrow and it turned out he was right.

Only once have the Catalan side previously secured 5 derbies consecutively, under Guardiola record-breaking streak concluding with that 5-0 against José Mourinho’s team, and it was not repeated. On Sunday, Real Madrid ended the coach’s unbeaten start in charge, defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move a significant margin clear at the top in La Liga.

What It Means

The Madrid squad had needed this. Their post-match joy said so, team members celebrating in circles. So did the noise, their stadium louder and intense than for such matches in recent memory: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham described it. The coach echoed this. Asked if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, or existed a mental block around important matches, an obsession, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That’s you lot’s thing.” But he did admit that the result represented “more than a win, and our recent history and its importance to us; the players needed the experience of securing a victory in a major fixture.”

In the previous campaign they failed to secure a win any. On fourteen occasions they lost: French side, Italian club, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, city foes, Valencia and Arsenal each defeated them. There wasn’t a single win versus a top-tier opponent. The previous manager went and was replaced by Alonso but it continued. The team secured several victories in the global tournament, indications of tactical organization emerging, a game plan, however then came PSG.

Current Campaign

That belongs to last season, Alonso said. Yet the new campaign, his term, began with a winning streak consecutively before Atlético came and put five past them. The results were positive defeating newly promoted, Mallorca and Osasuna but what about the big teams? Finally they defeated one of them too. Moreover not only that they won, but also the way they won.

The opposition were missing out: backup keeper, young midfielder, attacking midfielder, star striker and Andreas Christensen were absent. Additionally Raphinha, whose significance might now be fully recognised by his absence. Others were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal included. On the bench they had five players who hadn’t started a league game, others who featured just one time; two 17-year-olds, four 18-year-olds and two who are nineteen. Plus a centre-back, Ronald Araújo, who finished the match up front once more. Even their manager was absent, Flick banned and stuck in a radio cabin. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he suffered defeats in all of them.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but their offense struggled well on Sunday. Among comments directed at the young player that day, perhaps the most telling came from the Brazilian during the game, mocking Yamal by telling him: “You’re all backwards passes.” Regarding their defense, more porous than before with Iñigo Martínez departing, defensive intensity on opponents decreasing and coordination off, Levante created multiple opportunities versus Barcelona, another team five, Sevilla 5, Catalan club three. Previously they trapped Kylian Mbappé in an offside position on multiple occasions in a high-scoring game; yet, overshadowed by losses, was that in their most recent match he got three goals, Madrid always likely to get opportunities currently.

Decisive Actions

Playing like this, especially. The match served as a beginning as well as an end in itself. “Going forward we’re going to need much of what we did today,” Alonso commented. They put shots result in goals on five occasions – three disallowed due to offside – missed {a penalty|a spot-kick