Real Madrid’s streak of 4 consecutive victories in the Clásico comes to an end after the 4-0 defeat against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday. Los Blancos have now fallen six points behind their opponents in Los Angeles League matches because Hansi Flick’s time in Barcelona could not have started better. Real Madrid then had a mentally difficult clash against Borussia Dortmund in midweek in the Champions League, some regression was expected, but not to this extent.
In the first half, it looked like Los Blancos would be the team most likely to fracture ailing Barcelona, but the arrival of Frenkie de Jong was in part a masterstroke by Flick to get the game going. Real Madrid could not reply, aware of the defeat, but it is one that would have consequences. The conclusions of the adjustment are listed below:
Lamine Yamal continues to accumulate history
From scoring a goal that seemed irresistible developed in a slow movement until after celebrating with his keys to the Santiago Bernabéu Lamine country, Yamal has the problem, but now he also has other records to his name. At 17 he became the youngest player to score in a Clásico. He is already a key player for Barcelona and Spain, having received six goals and six assists this season and is loving having a date with Hansi Flick as Barcelona are evolving again into a true international superpower team.
Yamal isn’t even the only teenager on the team to appear, he’s just eminent at pacing. Pau Cubarsi put in another strong performance in defense to help secure a clean sheet after four 21-year-olds started and had an effect. Xavi Hernández helped bring these young players into the first team, but Flick is pushing them forward to free up their closer ranks.
Kylian Mbappé must ensure it easily
Kylian Mbappé’s first Clásico was one to skip and not just because of the result. Mbappé took three shots, placing them all on the right path, but none specifically bothered Iñaki Peña in the Barcelona net. The Frenchman couldn’t get into a correct wave and if he managed to get the ball into the back of the line, the offside flag was raised to take away his glory. Stuck offside eight times, Mbappé was unable to move into Barcelona’s top sequence when his team needed him most.
Mbappé has eight goals and two assists in all competitions for Real Madrid, but as a star signing for a team of his stature, he has to appear in the biggest games imaginable. Not appearing in his first Clásico doesn’t mean Mbappé won’t work out for Los Blancos, but it’s not something that can become a trend for the Frenchman.
Barcelona is back
With his brace in the match, Lewandowski became the top-scoring player in the top five European leagues in all competitions, scoring his 17th goal and two assists. Raphinha also maintained his blistering method and Barcelona completed a period that still saw them defeat Bayern Munich.
That’s what world-class teams do but it’s what Barcelona hasn’t been able to do until recently. Flick’s methods and the team getting back into shape for the right future ensure Barcelona move forward. After this victory, they also have a certain margin of error in the league and do not have a team that proves to be more of a contender than them.
