🔗 Share this article

The match represented practically a flawless outing from the Madrid side, as they overcame Barca two goals to one during El Clasico to extend their lead in first place of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham notched his inaugural domestic strike and assist this term following a difficult period recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his lethal touch in front of goal, and Alonso's tactics in his first derby on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.

Unhappy with coming off, the Brazilian winger complained while walking directly past Xabi Alonso and headed down the tunnel, before reappearing to the bench several minutes.

Tactical Setup Delivers Results from the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Madrid's last eight bosses were defeated in their debut league encounter against Barca.

Following the player-focused approach from the previous coach fell short last season, Alonso's positional game-model delivered an important victory.

Spanish football analyst noted, “He got it spot on. Madrid were very good, while Barcelona didn't play well due to the home team's approach.”

“Without the ball, they pushed up consistently, if overcome, they tracked back with discipline, everybody even the forward.”

The team's shape in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

The tactical change appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, as he last season had been tasked to do everything in the engine room and more.

Theoretically the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, however he was allowed to move centrally and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The expert continued, Employing Camavinga in central midfield, this provides increased movement and better ability to close down the passing lanes.”

“That forced the team to put Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly his role included to track the runs of Mbappe in possession and found openings, and he found him repeatedly.”

“He was asked 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

There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his chant was chanted on several occasions by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.

But there have been numerous stories lately that the club could entertain selling him if the right offer arrived.

He will have one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

Vinicius' behavior when substituted late in the game suggested tension. Post-game, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.

Balague noted, Many will criticize him and rightly so, as it demonstrated disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he believes that the world is hostile.”

Such thinking is tough to overcome, notably when you consider yourself close to being the top star, but the team drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he believes that Real Madrid is not defending him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid a quarter-billion euros for him and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and when Alonso subbed him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in Vinicius' head he thinks why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile with the club and Vinicius now.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in all four of previous campaign's derbies, this outing represented their uncertain early form.

Fitness issues have robbed the manager of important stars including the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach isn't working when they are missing.

The analyst stated, Barcelona appear are slightly off defensively, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

They are more vulnerable to break them down. If the defensive line is not perfect, like on Mbappe's strike since the defender failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”

Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was well contained.

Key players did not perform well. Lamine doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of a groin issue