🔗 Share this article

The match represented practically an ideal performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline during the famous derby and stretch their advantage at the summit in the Spanish league to five points.

Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with setup of the season following a difficult spell coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his deadly form in attack, and the manager's strategy in his inaugural El Clasico as coach worked perfectly.

But then the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head yet again.

Frustrated at his substitution, the star forward ranted as he walked straight past his manager before headed down the tunnel, before returning on the sidelines later.

Manager's Approach Gets Success from the Midfielder

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's previous eight bosses lost their initial league meeting against Barcelona.

After the relaxed style from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, the new tactical system produced an important victory.

Spanish football analyst noted, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, while the visitors struggled due to Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they pushed up for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”

The team's shape in two layers spaced by five to 10 metres. The opposition could not find a way through.”

The tactical change appears to be beneficial for Jude, who in the past had been tasked to do everything in the center and additional duties.

Theoretically the 22-year-old played on the right, however he had the freedom to move centrally and either link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

Balague stated, With the French midfielder in the middle, you get greater energy and more ways to close down the spaces.”

This led to them to deploy Bellingham wide right. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to monitor the runs of Mbappe on the ball and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.”

He was told to move into the penalty area and be around the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options and cause Barcelona's life very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

It's clear that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by the passionate home supporters.

Yet there have been various accounts lately that the club would consider allowing his departure should a suitable bid were to come in.

He has a year left on his contract when this term concludes, yet talks over a new deal have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior to being replaced in the second half spoke of issues. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Yamal.

The analyst commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed disrespect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

However, from a young age, he has existed amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

“That mentality is difficult to shake, particularly since you believe near number one in the world, then the club drives the axis towards Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he has perceived that Real Madrid is not defending him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they might accept an offer worth 250m euros for him and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, and when Alonso subbed him – fairly, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and Vinicius currently.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

After winning all four of previous campaign's Clasicos, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain beginning of the season.

Absences have deprived the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach is not effective without them.

The analyst stated, The squad seems lack sharpness without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. If the defensive line is not organized, which was the case the first goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack not closing down the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

The young talent, the main threat earlier, was well contained.

“Their stars weren't at their best. Yamal seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems