Real Madrid secure more just three points in latest Clasico win.
It looked like a lifetime ago when Real Madrid won all four Clásicos in the 2023–24 campaign, especially after Barcelona’s dominance last season, when Hansi Flick tormented Carlo Ancelotti in his first season in Spain.
Barcelona replicated the same feat and won all four Clásicos, leaving Los Blancos without any domestic silverware at the end of the season, while their quest to defend their Champions League title also ended in shambles.
However, with Carlo Ancelotti gone, they had the chance to rewrite a new story under Xabi Alonso, who might have been helped by the humiliating defeat to Atlético Madrid a few weeks back.
As said by Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after El Clásico:
“We knew that after the Madrid derby, we had to give more effort. We did that today. At the end, it’s just a game worth three points. Onto the next.”
Real Madrid had won all of their games across all competitions before hosting their city rivals, who went on to achieve their biggest win in the fixture in the 21st century, scoring five goals for the first time in 75 years.
Barcelona, considered a stronger opponent, and their meeting is more than just about bragging rights, but also a chance to stretch their gap at the league summit or risk losing their status.
There is always an ill feeling whenever the two teams lock horns, and their latest clash was no exception. Only that this time, you’d want to cut the hosts some slack, because they didn’t trigger the malady that ensued at full-time, even though they are not completely vindicated.
Build-Up to the First Clásico of the Season
A few days before the match, Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal appeared in an interview where he accused Real Madrid of stealing, stating that it is what they do, and then they complain.
“Yes, they (Real Madrid) steal and then complain — that’s what they do,” said the youngster.
The statement was not well received by the Real Madrid players. But coming from someone who got the better of them in all four meetings last season, and claimed they couldn’t say a thing about him as long as he was winning, reactions were difficult to fetch.
The best response would probably be to win the Clásico and put him in his place, which was what they ultimately did as the 18-year-old had one of his worst performances of the season.
Barcelona was expecting Raphinha to be available for the match after recovering from injury, but the Brazilian, who was directly involved in seven goals in four El Clásicos last season, was ruled out after a minor setback.
Jules Koundé, though, was fit to make the squad. Still, they headed to Madrid without their coach, Hansi Flick, who was suspended, and the injured Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen, and Joan Garcia.
Real Madrid welcomed Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dani Carvajal back from injuries, while David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger remained sidelined.
El Clásico Report
Real Madrid won by a goal difference, but it could have been much more. From the penalty saved to the tiny margins of offside and the heroics of Wojciech Szczęsny, it was Los Blancos creating more of the danger.
Barcelona, as expected, were dominant in possession. Perhaps they missed the presence of players like Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, especially the former, as Lamine Yamal could not really do what he is best known for.
Jude Bellingham, clearly the best outfielder, was all over the place. Every Real Madrid player put their heart into it to achieve an important win, which helped prevent the embarrassing situation they would have landed in had the result gone the other way.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring with Fermin Lopez restoring parity for the visitors. Bellingham, who assisted the first goal scored the winner, while the English Midfielfer also won a penalty not converted by Mbappé, but a 2-1 scoreline for Real Madrid’s priorities.
Consequences of the El Clásico Win
After the brawl was settled at full-time, the celebration of Madrid players was not just about the three points or going five points clear of their Clásico rivals, but about the statement made on the pitch, against the arrogance of Lamine Yamal.
Responding to such insolence with a spirited performance will leave the players pleased with themselves. And for Xabi Alonso, getting a win in your first Clásico as manager doesn’t get more exciting, especially for someone who has lived the moment as a player.
It was a complete Real Madrid performance, even though the scoreline failed to do justice to how much danger they created. But it does help them move further clear at the top of the league table, a welcome delight.
A win from the team, for the team it was. And for all the Clásico heartache of last season, this is a good win for redemption, one they’ll hope to build on in the coming clashes later in the season.
History makers in the Clasico
With Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford on either side, it is the first time both Real Madrid and Barcelona have had English players on their respective teams for the Clásico.
Jude Bellingham, 22, became the youngest Real Madrid player to score and assist in the same match against Barcelona.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
