🔗 Share this article

This proved to be almost a perfect day for the Madrid side, who beat Barca two goals to one in El Clasico and increase the gap at the top in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham notched his maiden domestic strike and assist this campaign after a tough period coming back from a shoulder operation.

Mbappe showed his lethal form in front of goal, while the coach's game plan in his inaugural El Clasico on the sidelines worked like a charm.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question emerged again another time.

Unhappy with being substituted, the Brazilian winger protested as he walked straight past his manager and stormed off the pitch, then reappearing to the substitute area several minutes.

Manager's Approach Yields Success from the Midfielder

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, especially since seven of Madrid's recent bosses lost their first league meeting against Barca.

Following the laissez-faire method under Ancelotti did not deliver in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered a significant outcome.

An expert noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side were impressive, while the visitors struggled because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated in an organised way, all players even the forward.”

Their defensive setup with two banks spaced by five to 10 metres. Barca could not find a way through.”

The new system seems positive for Bellingham, who in the past was expected to cover multiple roles in midfield and additional duties.

In the lineup the young star played on the right, but in practice he could to come inside and either assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

The analyst added, Employing the French midfielder in central midfield, you get greater energy and more ways to shut down the spaces.”

As a result the team to deploy Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to monitor Mbappe's movements on the ball with room, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to enter the area and be around the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life challenging.”

Strained Relations Revealed

There's no doubting that the fans adore Vinicius, his name were sung multiple times by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.

However recently there were numerous stories in recent months that Los Blancos could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal arrived.

Vinicius has one season to go on his contract at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.

The player's reaction when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated issues. When the match ended, teammates intervened when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, since it displayed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed amid adversity, and he believes that he faces opposition.”

“That mentality is hard to change, notably when you feel near the best player, and the organization redirects attention to Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he believes that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of €250 million for him and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, and when the coach substituted him – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to mend relations among the parties and Vinicius now.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Following victories in all four of previous campaign's Clasicos, the latest display highlighted Barca's shaky beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have deprived Hansi Flick of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system isn't working without them.

Balague said, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp without the ball, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive in pressing.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. Should the defense is not perfect, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by teammates failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was well contained.

Key players weren't at their best. Lamine doesn't feel like he's in good form, maybe due to groin problems