🔗 Share this article

The match represented practically a flawless day from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they defeated their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico to stretch their advantage at the summit of La Liga with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder got his maiden league goal along with assist of the season following a tough period healing from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe showed his clinical performance in front of goal, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural derby in the dugout worked brilliantly.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.

Dissatisfied at coming off, the Brazilian winger complained as he walked directly past his manager before marched off the pitch, before coming back on the sidelines later.

Manager's Approach Gets Positive Outcomes from Bellingham

In his first derby, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Madrid's recent managers lost their first La Liga encounter with their rivals.

After the player-focused approach of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results earlier, Alonso's positional game-model produced a significant outcome.

An expert observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid performed excellently, and Barcelona didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”

“Without the ball, they pushed up consistently, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in an organised way, all players including the forward.”

“They defended in two lines separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition were unable to break through.”

The new system looks to be beneficial for Jude, as he last season was essentially asked to do everything in the engine room and beyond.

Theoretically the young star started wide right, however he was allowed to move centrally and support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

Balague added, With Camavinga in central midfield, you get more dynamism and better ability to block the channels.”

This led to the team to position Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he would have been asked to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball and had space, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and be around the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also came inside to close the inside channels and cause Barcelona's life tough.”

Vinicius Tensions Revealed

Undoubtedly that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his chant were sung repeatedly by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

Yet there have been numerous stories over the past period that the club might think about allowing his departure if the right offer arrived.

He has one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, but talks over a new deal have stalled.

The player's reaction after coming off late in the game spoke of tension. When the match ended, he was held back when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The analyst said, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you consider yourself on the verge of the top star, and the organization redirects attention towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he believes that the organization is not defending him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open if someone paid €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.”

This affects him, so when the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as required – in Vinicius' head he thinks why always me?.”

“It will be difficult to build a bridge between the club and Vinicius now.”

Their System “Struggles”

After winning all four of previous campaign's matches, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain start to the campaign.

Injuries have left without the manager of important stars including Raphinha, the striker and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective in their absence.

The expert commented, “It's like the whole team are slightly off defensively, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity in pressing.”

Opponents find it simpler to attack them. If the defensive line is flawed, which was the case the first goal since the defender kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not closing down opponents in possession adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat earlier, was kept largely in check.

Key players weren't at their best. Lamine seems not he's in good form, possibly because of a groin issue