🔗 Share this article

It was almost a perfect performance for Real Madrid, as they beat Barcelona 2-1 during El Clasico and extend their lead in first place of the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham got his first league goal and setup this campaign after a tough few months recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward continued his deadly form when scoring, and Alonso's tactics in his first El Clasico in the dugout worked perfectly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question emerged again yet again.

Unhappy at being substituted, the star forward protested as he walked directly past his manager before headed off the pitch, before returning to the bench after a short while.

Manager's Approach Delivers Results for Jude Bellingham

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

Following the laissez-faire method from the previous coach did not deliver last season, the new tactical system delivered its first major result.

Spanish football analyst observed, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were impressive, while the visitors were off-color due to Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they fell back with discipline, everybody including Vinicius.”

The team's shape in two lines separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

The new system seems positive for the midfielder, who last season was expected to do everything in the engine room and more.

On paper the young star was positioned on the right, however he could to move centrally and either support Mbappe or enter the box.

The analyst added, “By using Eduardo Camavinga in the center, this provides increased movement and more ways to close down the channels.”

This led to them to position Jude wide right. Certainly he was instructed to monitor the runs of Mbappe in possession with room, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to get into the box and operate on the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to close the inside channels creating Barca's task very difficult.”

Vinicius Tensions Exposed

Undoubtedly that Madridistas love Vinicius, calls for him were sung on several occasions by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

Yet multiple various accounts lately that Los Blancos would consider letting him leave if the right offer arrived.

Vinicius will have a year left on his contract at the end of the campaign, but talks over a new deal are at a standstill.

Vinicius' behavior after coming off late in the game suggested tension. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

The analyst noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, as it demonstrated a lack of respect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

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

Such thinking is hard to change, particularly since you believe on the verge of number one in the world, then the club drives the axis towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

“This season he's felt that the club has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they might accept if someone paid €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.”

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

“It will be difficult to mend relations between the club and the player now.”

Their System “Falls Apart”

Following victories in all four of recent matches, the latest display represented Barca's shaky early form.

Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of important stars including the Brazilian winger, the striker and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective without them.

The expert said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness without the ball, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support from the attack not closing down those on the ball adequately.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was neutralized.

“Their stars weren't at their best. The youngster seems not he is at his best, possibly because of groin problems