Los Blancos Commanding yet Vinicius Issues Escalate – Important El Clasico Takeaways
The match represented almost an ideal outing from Xabi Alonso's squad, who overcame their arch-rivals 2-1 in El Clasico to extend their advantage at the top of La Liga with a five-point cushion.
Bellingham scored his maiden domestic strike and assist this term after a tough spell coming back from shoulder surgery.
The French forward showed his lethal form when scoring, and Alonso's tactics in his first El Clasico in the dugout proved like a charm.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.
Dissatisfied with being substituted, the Brazilian winger complained as he walked right by the coach and marched down the tunnel, before coming back on the sidelines several minutes.
Manager's Approach Delivers Results from Jude Bellingham
In his first derby, Alonso did well, given that seven of Madrid's last eight bosses lost their initial La Liga match against Barca.
After the laissez-faire style from the previous coach fell short in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered a significant outcome.
Spanish football analyst noted, “He got it spot on. Madrid were impressive, while Barcelona struggled because of the home team's approach.”
When not in possession, they pushed up consistently, and when bypassed, they retreated with discipline, everybody even the forward.”
The team's shape in two layers separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition could not find a way through.”
The tactical change looks to be beneficial for Jude, as he last season was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the engine room and additional duties.
Theoretically the young star started wide right, but in practice he had the freedom to move centrally and either link with Mbappe or enter the box.
The analyst added, Employing Camavinga in central midfield, it brings increased movement and additional options to shut down the channels.”
This led to them to position Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly his role included to track the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.”
He was told to get into the box and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels and cause the opponent's play challenging.”
Conflict Issues Revealed
Undoubtedly that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant rang out on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.
But recently there were countless reports in recent months that Real Madrid might think about letting him leave if the right offer was made.
He has a year left on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled.
The player's reaction after coming off late in the game suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.
Balague commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed a lack of respect for Rodrygo who replaced him.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been in a challenging environment, and perceives that the world is hostile.”
This mindset is tough to overcome, especially when you feel near the best player, but the team drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he's felt that Real Madrid has not supported him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid €250 million to sign him and let him go.”
“He feels all that, so when the coach substituted him – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as required – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
It may be challenging to build a bridge with the club and Vinicius now.”
Barca's Approach “Crumbles”
After winning all four of recent Clasicos, this outing represented Barca's shaky beginning of the season.
Absences have deprived the manager of important stars such as Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and his system isn't working in their absence.
The analyst stated, The squad seems lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. Should the defense is not organized, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike since the defender played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”
The young talent, the main threat of Real last season, was neutralized.
The big names did not perform well. Lamine seems not he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue