🔗 Share this article

It was nearly an ideal day from the Madrid side, as they defeated Barca 2-1 during El Clasico and stretch their lead in first place in the domestic championship by five points.

Bellingham got his inaugural league goal along with setup this term following a difficult spell coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe maintained his deadly performance in front of goal, while the coach's game plan during his debut derby in the dugout functioned brilliantly.

But then the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again another time.

Dissatisfied at being substituted, the Brazilian winger protested while walking right by Xabi Alonso before marched down the tunnel, then coming back to the bench several minutes.

Tactical Setup Yields Results for Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Real's recent bosses were defeated in their first La Liga meeting with Barca.

After the relaxed style from the previous coach did not deliver in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded a significant outcome.

Spanish football analyst commented, “He got it spot on. Madrid performed excellently, and Barcelona were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, and when bypassed, they tracked back in a structured manner, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape in two layers spaced by a short distance. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

This approach looks to be beneficial for Jude, who in the past was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and beyond.

On paper the young star was positioned on the right, but in practice he could to come inside and assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

The expert stated, Employing the French midfielder in the center, it brings greater energy and additional options to shut down the passing lanes.”

This led to the team to put Bellingham wide right. Undoubtedly he was instructed to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements when he had the ball and had space, and he located him a few times.”

His instructions included to enter the area and position himself near just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating Barca's task tough.”

Vinicius Tensions Exposed

Undoubtedly that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him was chanted multiple times by a fervent home supporters.

But multiple numerous stories lately that the club would consider allowing his departure if an attractive proposal arrived.

He has one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, but discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.

Vinicius' behavior when substituted late in the game indicated tension. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he attempted to confront Yamal.

The expert commented, Many will criticize him for good reason, because it showed a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and perceives that the world is hostile.”

Such thinking is tough to overcome, particularly since you feel near number one in the world, and the organization shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he's felt that the organization has not supported him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they would be open an offer worth 250m euros for his transfer and allow him to leave.”

This affects him, and when he was taken off – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – in Vinicius' head he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge among the parties and Vinicius now.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in each of the previous campaign's Clasicos, this outing represented Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.

Injuries have deprived Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, the striker plus others, and the approach is failing in their absence.

Balague commented, Barcelona appear lack sharpness defensively, with less desire to win it back, softer to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. When the backline is not perfect, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates failing to press opponents in possession as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was well contained.

Key players did not perform well. Yamal appears he's in good form, possibly because of a groin issue