🔗 Share this article

It was almost a flawless performance for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one in the famous derby and stretch the gap at the top in La Liga by five points.

Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with assist this campaign following a difficult spell coming back from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his lethal performance in attack, while the coach's game plan in his inaugural El Clasico on the sidelines worked brilliantly.

However the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head another time.

Frustrated with his substitution, the Brazilian winger ranted as he walked directly past Xabi Alonso and headed down the tunnel, then coming back on the sidelines after a short while.

Manager's Approach Yields Results from Bellingham

In his first derby, it was a solid start, considering the majority of Real's recent coaches lost their debut La Liga encounter with Barcelona.

Following the player-focused style from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, Alonso's positional game-model produced its first major result.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid performed excellently, and Barcelona struggled because of Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they pressed high consistently, and if they were beaten, they retreated in a structured manner, everybody including Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two layers spaced by 5-10 meters. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change seems good news for Jude, who in the past had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the center and more.

On paper the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but actually he was allowed to drift inward and either assist the attack or crash the penalty area.

Balague added, “By using Camavinga in the middle, it brings greater energy and better ability to block the spaces.”

“That forced the team to put Jude wide right. Undoubtedly he was instructed to track Mbappe's movements when he had the ball with room, and he found him a few times.”

He was told to enter the area and operate on just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating Barcelona's life very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Revealed

Undoubtedly that Madridistas love Vinicius, calls for him was chanted on several occasions by the passionate Madrid fans.

Yet there have been numerous stories in recent months that the club might think about selling him if the right offer was made.

The winger will have a year left under his current terms come the end of the season, yet discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

The player's reaction after coming off late in the game indicated strained relations. When the match ended, teammates intervened when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, since it displayed a lack of respect toward his replacement who came on for him.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he believes that he faces opposition.”

“That mentality is tough to overcome, especially when you believe on the verge of the best player, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he believes that the club isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they would be open if someone paid a quarter-billion euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in Vinicius' head he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to reconcile between the club and Vinicius now.”

Their System “Struggles”

Following victories in each of the recent matches, the latest display was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have left without the manager of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and his system isn't working when they are missing.

Balague stated, The squad seems are slightly off defensively, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. Should the defense is flawed, which was the case the first goal since the defender failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was neutralized.

Key players were below par. Lamine appears in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems