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“Whenever I emerge victorious they are unable to say anything,” the young star previously remarked, however this time he came up short and they were coming for him. They said he was overly vocal; they replied that, indeed, they were going to meet him outside; the message was words mean little. This included just the players: further remarks from commentators in their pulpits, men who never lose.

Just before this epic clash, the teenager who says he left fear behind in his hometown implied that Real Madrid benefit from decisions and complain, or so it goes. He also offered a recollection that on his previous visit he stepped onto the Santiago Bernabéu – as a youngster with blaugrana dental work, a glint in his eye and his shooting ability was unexpected he had – he beat them 4-0. Yet that was past and this was now. Moreover, an adult now, exactly a year on, his side fell short. It was clear, as opponents made sure.

Jude Bellingham nets clásico winner as the Madrid club pull clear of Barcelona

When the match conclusion went on an intense, heated latest clásico that was somewhat like past encounters, the Barcelona winger approached towards Dani Carvajal, offering a handshake. Rather than taking it, Madrid’s captain did the old jibber-jabber gesture. It had been challenging following with everything that unfolded in the 105 minutes that preceded it, a match of 38 shots, multiple scores recorded and three more ruled out; at that moment it became impossible.

Suddenly there were players all around, running back and forth of sight and piling in, security separating people apart. In the middle the melee, Madrid’s goalkeeper was accepting the invitation to continue this in the dressing room area. Vinícius was being held back, him telling another player as well they are too vocal. Raphinha was running to intervene with his compatriot, Antonio Rüdiger also present. “The scene resembled when we youth,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.

Turning Point

In April, the French star had written: “They rejoice in our losses like we will never win again. We’ll be back.” Real Madrid had just lost a derby Spanish Cup final 3-2 in extra time, a collective breakdown following the end, projectiles flying. Two weeks afterwards, they suffered another loss. Over four clásicos, the team had lost on each occasion, league, cup and Super Cup won by their rivals. Their defense allowed 4, five, three and 4. But there is always the future and it turned out Tchouaméni was right.

Only once have the Catalan side ever won 5 clásicos in a row, under Guardiola record-breaking run concluding with that 5-0 versus José Mourinho’s side, and it wouldn’t happen again. This past weekend, Real Madrid brought to a close Hansi Flick’s unbeaten start in charge, beating their arch-rivals 2-1 to move a significant margin ahead in first place in La Liga.

Significance

The Madrid squad had needed the victory. Their post-match joy reflected this, team members dancing in circles. Likewise, the crowd’s roar, their stadium louder and intense than on a clásico day in recent memory: “incredible,” Jude Bellingham called it. Manager Xabi Alonso echoed this. When questioned if the win represented a weight off his shoulders, if existed a psychosis around big games, an obsession, Xabi Alonso shot back: “That is the media’s narrative.” Yet he acknowledged that this was “not just three points, but where we come from and its importance for the squad; the boys required that feeling of winning a big game.”

Last season they failed to secure a win any. Fourteen times they were defeated: French side, Italian club, English team, Athletic, city rivals, Betis, city foes, Valencia and London club each defeated them. They did not achieve one victory against a top-tier opponent. Carlo Ancelotti departed and succeeded by Xabi Alonso yet the trend persisted. The team won several victories at the Club World Cup, signs of tactical organization emerging, an idea, but they faced Paris Saint Germain.

Current Campaign

That defeat is part of last season, the coach stated. But the new campaign, his season, began with six wins in a row before Atlético visited and scored 5 against them. The results were positive beating Oviedo, Mallorca and Pamplona side however, against the big teams? Now at last they had beaten one of them as well. And it wasn’t just that Madrid triumphed, but also the way they achieved it.

Barcelona had players out: Joan García, young midfielder, Dani Olmo, star striker and Andreas Christensen were all missing. So too the winger, an important player may at least be appreciated in absentia. Several players were not at 100%, Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal among them. Among substitutes were five players who hadn’t started in La Liga, others who featured only once; teenagers, young talents and a couple who are 19. And defender, Ronald Araújo, who ended it up front again. Additionally head coach was missing, Flick suspended and located in a commentary box. Marcus Sorg, Sorg, has been on the touchline on three occasions: he has lost each one.

Game Breakdown

Much discussion focuses of Barcelona’s vulnerable high line, but they did not attack effectively on Sunday. Among the things directed at the young player that day, perhaps the most revealing was from Vinícius mid-match, mocking the teenager by saying: “You’re all backwards passes.” Regarding that backline, leakier compared to past after Iñigo Martínez leaving, the pressure on passers dropping and coordination off, one opponent created six clear chances versus Barcelona, another team five, Sevilla 5, Girona 3. Last year they trapped Kylian Mbappé offside eight times in a high-scoring game; yet, overshadowed by the defeats, is the fact in their most recent match he got three goals, Real Madrid always positioned to create chances currently.

Key Moments

With this approach, in particular. This was a beginning and also an end in itself. “In the future we’re going to need much of what we did in this game,” the manager commented. They put shots in the net on five occasions – three disallowed for offside – failed to convert {a penalty|a spot-kick