Work, keep quiet, and issue invoices before collecting them: the hot notes from Madrid-Barça

BarcelonaBarça's narrow defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid (2-1). The Catalans have not been able to recapture the sensations of last season's classics. and they see their eternal rival slipping five points in the league standings. Here are some quick notes.

It is necessary to put things into perspective. With seven players out (four starting players) and at least two players in the lineup who weren't at 100 percent, that's how Barça performed in the first Clásico of the season, which is also the least decisive. There are many players to recover and too much competition left to burn any hopes prematurely. This defeat must be put into perspective because it's less important than what they're trying to sell it as. We must work quietly, letting Flick and his team take the lead. staff, stop celebrating last year's La Liga title, train well every day, and issue invoices before they're paid. Only then can the lost magic be recovered. Only then can Real Madrid, which remains nothing special, be returned to the canvas it has tested four times in recent months.

Where is the right band? Messi, Suárez, Neymar, and Luis Enrique also clearly fell at the Bernabéu in October prior to Barça's second treble. Calm and tranquility. However, the constructive spirit is not at odds with the need to lift the ears of players like Kounde and Lamine Yamal. The two formed a sensational duo without which last season's achievements would be incomprehensible. One improved the other to the point that they recalled the best years of Alves and Messi together on the right wing. However, this year this partnership is experiencing a downgrade It's clear that it's not just due to physical problems. Pedri's booing of the Frenchman, whom Vinícius has at times embarrassed, demonstrates this. And Lamine Yamal? How many times has he followed Carreras's climbs from the side? Fewer than he should have.

No one can move him. "Barça's goal weighs heavily," it's often said. "What are we doing signing a Pole who's retired?" some criticized. "And on top of that, he smokes and doesn't hide," others added. "Was it worth renewing after signing Joan Garcia with Ter Stegen still in the squad?" was a sensible analysis this summer. Well, good old Szczesny has been answering aphorisms and doubts about what a goalkeeper should do: stop balls. At the Bernabéu, he prevented an even bigger tear with three goal-scoring saves in the first half and a brilliantly missed penalty on Mbappé in the second. It wasn't the Real Madrid star who missed the shot: it was the endearing Pole who had the foresight to stop a ball that was well-aimed and well-directed. An excellent performance on an afternoon that will leave bad memories and should serve as a catalyst for recovery.

Short associated readings. The first: Pedri's sending-off isn't a good sign either. The Canary Islander has to play everything, his tongue is hanging out, and consequently, he has to extend his legs more than necessary. The second: what a huge difference in favor of Madrid the return of such a dominant center back as Militao represents. The third: without VAR, our friend Soto Grado would have awarded a nonexistent penalty and an illegal goal to the Whites. And the fourth: Vinícius is as good as he is absolutely stupid. Xabi Alonso substituted him because he needed more legs to defend, with Barça all out in search of a 2-2, but he, sullen and spoiled, dedicated himself to cursing the coach's decision. Minutes later, in stoppage time, he lit up the Barça bench in the prelude to a show-stopping finale reminiscent of Mourinho's days.