🔗 Share this article

It was almost a perfect outing from the Madrid side, as they overcame their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline during El Clasico and increase the gap in first place of the domestic championship to five points.

Bellingham scored his first domestic strike and key pass of the season after a challenging spell recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe showed his deadly touch in front of goal, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural derby on the sidelines functioned perfectly.

But then the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront once more.

Frustrated at his substitution, the Brazilian winger protested as he walked directly past Xabi Alonso before marched off the pitch, then coming back to the substitute area later.

Tactical Setup Yields Results from Bellingham

In his first derby, Alonso did well, considering seven of Madrid's recent managers lost their initial La Liga meeting with Barca.

Following the laissez-faire approach of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded a significant outcome.

Spanish football analyst noted, His plan was perfect. Madrid were very good, while Barca struggled because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they applied pressure for as long as they could, if overcome, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”

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

The new system appears to be beneficial for Jude, as he last season was essentially asked to do everything in the center and additional duties.

On paper the young star started wide right, however he could to come inside and assist the attack or enter the box.

The analyst continued, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in the center, it brings greater energy and better ability to shut down the channels.”

“That forced them to position Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he was instructed to track Mbappe's movements when he had the ball with room, and he found him repeatedly.”

He was told to get into the box and position himself near the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces creating the opponent's play tough.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his name were sung multiple times by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.

Yet there have been various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid might think about letting him leave if an attractive proposal was made.

He has one year remaining under his current terms when this term concludes, yet discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

The player's reaction to being replaced in the second half suggested tension. Post-game, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, as it demonstrated disrespect for the substitute taking his place.”

However, from a young age, he has existed in a hostile world, and perceives that he faces opposition.”

“That mentality is difficult to shake, especially when you feel on the verge of the top star, then the club shifts the focus to Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he's felt that the club has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”

“He feels all that, so when he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as required – to him he says why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations among the parties and him currently.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

Following victories in each of the recent matches, the latest display represented Barca's shaky start to the campaign.

Absences have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski plus others, and his system isn't working without them.

The expert commented, The squad seems lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

“It's easier to break them down. If the defensive line is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike as Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat earlier, was neutralized.

The big names were below par. Lamine appears he is at his best, possibly because of injury issues