Real Madrid Commanding yet Vinicius Strains Grow – Key El Clasico Highlights

This proved to be almost an ideal outing from the Madrid side, as they overcame Barcelona two goals to one during the Clasico and increase their advantage at the summit of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham got his maiden goal in the league along with key pass this campaign following a challenging spell recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his lethal touch when scoring, and the manager's strategy during his debut Clasico in the dugout proved brilliantly.

But then the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head yet again.

Unhappy at coming off, the Brazilian winger protested on his way directly past the coach and marched to the dressing room, then returning to the substitute area later.

Manager's Approach Delivers Results for Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, considering seven of Real's recent bosses lost their first La Liga match with their rivals.

Following the player-focused style under Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced its first major result.

A specialist commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid performed excellently, and Barca didn't play well due to Madrid's tactics.”

Defensively, they applied pressure as much as possible, and when bypassed, they retreated in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”

“They defended with two banks spaced by five to 10 metres. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

The new system appears to be positive for Bellingham, who previously had been tasked to do everything in the engine room and more.

On paper Bellingham started wide right, but in practice he was allowed to come inside and either link with Mbappe or enter the box.

The analyst stated, “By using the French midfielder in the center, you get increased movement and more ways to close down the channels.”

“That forced the team to position Jude wide right. Undoubtedly he was instructed to monitor the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to close the inside channels and cause the opponent's play very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

It's clear that Madridistas love Vinicius, his name were sung repeatedly by a fervent home supporters.

But recently there were countless reports over the past period that Los Blancos could entertain letting him leave if the right offer arrived.

He will have one season to go on his contract when this term concludes, yet discussions on a renewal have stalled.

The player's reaction to being replaced in the second half suggested issues. When the match ended, he was held back when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The expert commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed disrespect for the substitute who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, he has existed amid adversity, and perceives that he faces opposition.”

Such thinking is tough to overcome, especially when you believe close to being the best player, but the team shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he's felt that Real Madrid has not supported him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open an offer worth 250m euros for him and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and after the coach substituted him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – in Vinicius' head he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

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

Their System “Struggles”

After winning each of the last season's Clasicos, the latest display was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have robbed the Barcelona coach of key players such as Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the approach is failing in their absence.

The analyst commented, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. When the backline is flawed, as it wasn't the first goal as Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

The big names did not perform well. Lamine appears in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems