Lamine was right

Second League Defeat for Barça

FC Barcelona lost the Clásico at the Bernabéu by 2–1. Mbappé and Bellingham scored for the home side, while Fermín found the net for Barça. The match began at a frenetic pace — just two minutes in, referee Soto Grado awarded a penalty (we’ll discuss the refereeing controversy later) for a supposed foul by Lamine on Vinicius. However, after a VAR review, he overturned the decision and called a foul by Vinicius instead.

Barça started by controlling the game but lacked depth and clear chances, while Madrid focused on counterattacks. Mbappé opened the scoring after breaking free behind Cubarsí, assisted far too easily by Jude Bellingham. Control of the match shifted back and forth until the 38th minute, when Fermín scored for Barça after a nice combination between Pedri and Rashford, who provided the assist. It looked as if the first half would end in a fair draw, but Bellingham put Madrid back ahead following a good run down the wing by Vinicius. The second half began with a handball by Eric García inside the box. This time, Soto Grado initially didn’t call it, but after a VAR review, he pointed to the spot. Szczesny became the hero by saving Mbappé’s penalty. The game became more chaotic, with chances for both sides. Barça had more control of possession, but Madrid created the clearer opportunities. As time went on, Madrid sat deeper while Barça pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Flick made several substitutions, bringing on Araujo — who started as a center-back but finished as a striker alongside Rashford — as well as Casadó and Bardghji, who replaced Cubarsí. The plan was to send in crosses for Araujo in the closing minutes, but it wasn’t enough to find the equalizer. The Clásico ended on a sour note with a scuffle initiated by Vinicius, who had already caused trouble earlier when being substituted for Rodrygo. The incident resulted in Lunin being sent off and several yellow cards for both teams. FC Barcelona now sits five points behind Real Madrid in La Liga. However, the feeling is that Madrid, despite fielding all their starters, had to fight tooth and nail to beat a depleted Barça side. Lamine Yamal, though not at his best (probably playing at around 50% of his potential), still managed to deliver a perfect assist that Kounde couldn’t finish. There’s still a long way to go in the season, and this team gives the impression that once the injured starters return, Barça can once again look like last year’s side — or at least push Real Madrid all the way in a title race where Los Blancos seem to be earning more results than performances.

Szczesny Does It Again

It’s always difficult to highlight players after a defeat, but Szczesny’s performance deserves recognition — not only for saving a penalty from Mbappé but also for his numerous other crucial interventions throughout the match. It’s clear that Joan García looks more confident between the posts and will likely reclaim the starting spot once fit, but we can rest assured that if the Polish goalkeeper has to return to defend the net, he’ll probably handle it well in the Copa del Rey.

Fermín also deserves mention. While it wasn’t a flawless performance, he scored again — his fourth goal this week — signaling that he has fully recovered from his injury. In the second half, he had a chance to equalize, but his shot was too central and easy for Courtois to save. Pedri once again carried much of Barça’s burden, creating the play that led to the goal and taking responsibility for driving the team in the final minutes, looking for spaces to generate danger. He ended up being sent off, largely due to an initial yellow card he had to commit to stop a dangerous counterattack, a foul that Kounde probably should have stopped 30 meters earlier. Finally, Lamine Yamal stands out. Although he didn’t have a great game — barely dribbling past anyone — it was evident he wasn’t playing at 100%, or even 70%. Despite this, and despite the team not looking for him as much as in previous matches, he came close to scoring the equalizer after a brilliant pass that Kounde failed to convert. He’ll have the return leg at the Camp Nou to make up for yesterday’s match.

Soto Grado Didn’t Have RMTV… Why Could That Be?

It took Soto Grado just a minute and a half to award a penalty in favor of Real Madrid — a completely non-existent penalty that was later overturned after a VAR review. But it was a statement of intent.

For Real Madrid’s second goal, he chose to ignore a clear elbow from Huijsen on Cubarsí, which prevented the Estanyol defender from clearing the ball. VAR did not intervene either, and the goal ended up being the decisive 2–1. The handball by Eric García is another incident that, given how VAR has been functioning this season, shouldn’t have been reviewed or awarded as a penalty. The ball came off a rebound, and the contact with Eric’s hand was entirely accidental. If Tchouaméni’s handball last year wasn’t called a penalty, it seems ridiculous that this one was. Fortunately, Szczesny made justice with his spectacular save. As is typical with Carvajal, he committed his usual foul — never called a penalty — but this one was a very clear penalty. While shoulder-to-shoulder contact is legal, as seen in the footage, Carvajal forgets the ball and clearly charges into Araujo, pushing him with his shoulder into the Uruguayan’s back. A blatant penalty that neither Soto Grado nor VAR wanted to see. The only play Real Madrid could arguably complain about is Pedri not being sent off for a trip on Camavinga — a foul that clearly deserved a second yellow, which came just two minutes later. It’s clear, then, that Lamine Yamal was right.

Rest Week

A week of rest for FC Barcelona, which, as they say, feels tougher after a defeat. However, it should be very useful for the team to recover energy and, most importantly, start getting players back. Raphinha won’t return yet — he isn’t expected until the November international break — but it seems Lewandowski is already training with the group, and the comebacks of Joan García and Dani Olmo are near.

Barça has three matches before the November break, after which they can count on most of their injured players, including Raphinha, to start chasing Real Madrid, who currently sit five points ahead at the top of the table.

Szczesny MVP

Szczesny earns his well-deserved first MVP of the season after his outstanding performance at the Bernabéu. The Polish goalkeeper proves he remains a reliable option and demonstrates his credentials to feature in competitions such as the Copa del Rey or the Spanish Super Cup. Fermín takes second place, adding 3 more points and moving up to fourth in the standings, tied with Rashford. Pedri adds another point, safely leading the table, while Lamine gains a point to reach 12, tied for second place alongside Ferran Torres.

Elche

Barça has a clean week to rest and prepare for next Sunday’s lighter home fixture against Elche. Eder Sarabia’s team visits Montjuïc as one of the season’s revelation sides, although they’ve earned just 1 point from their last 9 matches, suggesting their momentum may be fading. You have to go back to 1974 to find an Elche victory over FC Barcelona, and over 10 years to find a draw — both occurring at Elche’s home ground.

It could be a good match to give some rest (Pedri, who is suspended, will miss the game) and an opportunity for younger players, as well as for those returning from injury to start regaining match fitness.

And that’s it for the third episode of Culé DNA. We’ll be back next week after the Elche match — a week to regain strength and confidence following the Clásico defeat. Thanks for joining us, culers, and see you in the next episode.