🔗 Share this article

The match represented nearly a flawless day for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they overcame Barca two goals to one in the Clasico to stretch their advantage in first place of La Liga by five points.

Bellingham scored his maiden goal in the league along with assist this campaign following a difficult spell recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe showed his lethal performance when scoring, while the coach's game plan in his first derby as coach functioned perfectly.

However the Vinicius Junior question emerged again another time.

Unhappy at being substituted, Vinicius ranted as he walked straight past his manager and stormed down the tunnel, before returning to the bench later.

Manager's Approach Gets Positive Outcomes from Jude Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, given that seven of Real's recent bosses were defeated in their debut La Liga match with their rivals.

Following the laissez-faire method under Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system delivered a significant outcome.

An expert observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were impressive, while Barca were off-color because of the home team's approach.”

“Without the ball, they pressed high consistently, and when bypassed, they tracked back with discipline, everybody including the forward.”

“They defended in two lines with a gap of 5-10 meters. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

This approach seems good news for Jude, as he in the past was expected to do everything in midfield and additional duties.

Theoretically Bellingham was positioned on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to drift inward and either link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The analyst continued, Employing the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides greater energy and additional options to block the channels.”

As a result the team to position Jude on the right-hand side. Certainly he would have been asked to monitor the runs of Mbappe on the ball with room, and he located him on several occasions.”

He was told to move into the penalty area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

It's clear that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his chant were sung on several occasions by a fervent home supporters.

However multiple various accounts lately that Real Madrid could entertain letting him leave if an attractive proposal were to come in.

Vinicius will have one season to go on his contract when this term concludes, but talks over a new deal have not progressed.

His response when substituted in the second half suggested strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he was held back when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The analyst commented, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for the substitute taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived amid adversity, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is difficult to shake, especially when you believe close to being the top star, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he's felt that the club is not defending him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid a quarter-billion euros for him and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, and when he was taken off – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and Vinicius at the moment.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

After winning each of the last season's derbies, the latest display represented their uncertain early form.

Injuries have deprived the Barcelona coach of key players such as the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup is not effective in their absence.

The expert said, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive in pressing.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. If the defensive line is not perfect, which was the case the first goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack failing to press the ball-carrier as expected.”

The young talent, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.

“Their stars were below par. Lamine appears in top condition, maybe due to groin problems