🔗 Share this article

This proved to be almost a flawless day for the Madrid side, as they defeated Barcelona two goals to one during the famous derby and extend their lead in first place in the domestic championship by five points.

The English midfielder notched his maiden domestic strike and key pass of the season following a difficult period coming back from a shoulder operation.

Mbappe showed his deadly form in front of goal, and Alonso's tactics in his inaugural El Clasico as coach worked perfectly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again yet again.

Unhappy at coming off, the star forward protested while walking right by the coach and stormed to the dressing room, before reappearing on the sidelines after a short while.

Tactical Setup Gets Results for Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, considering seven of Real's last eight bosses were defeated in their debut La Liga encounter with Barcelona.

Following the laissez-faire style under Ancelotti fell short earlier, the new tactical system produced a significant outcome.

Spanish football analyst commented, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”

“Without the ball, they pressed high for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they fell back with discipline, everybody even the forward.”

Their defensive setup with two banks with a gap of five to 10 metres. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”

This approach looks to be positive for the midfielder, who last season was expected to cover multiple roles in the center and more.

In the lineup Bellingham started wide right, but actually he could to drift inward and either support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

Balague stated, Employing the French midfielder in the middle, it brings increased movement and better ability to block the channels.”

“That forced them to put Jude wide right. I'm sure he was instructed to monitor the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, connecting with him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to get into the box and operate on the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play tough.”

Strained Relations Revealed

Undoubtedly that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, his name rang out multiple times by the passionate Madrid fans.

But multiple various accounts lately that Real Madrid might think about selling him if the right offer arrived.

Vinicius has one season to go under his current terms come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior when substituted with 20 minutes left spoke of strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

Balague said, Many will criticize him for good reason, because it showed poor sportsmanship for the substitute who came on for him.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is hard to change, notably when you believe close to being the best player, and the organization drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he believes that the club isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid 250m euros for him and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and after he was taken off – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to mend relations between the club and Vinicius at the moment.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in all four of recent Clasicos, the latest display represented Barca's shaky start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system is not effective when they are missing.

The expert said, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, which was the case Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped from the attack not closing down opponents in possession adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat earlier, was neutralized.

The big names weren't at their best. Lamine appears he's in good form, possibly because of injury issues