🔗 Share this article

It was practically a flawless performance for Real Madrid, who beat Barca 2-1 during El Clasico and stretch their lead at the top of the Spanish league by five points.

Jude Bellingham scored his maiden league goal and assist of the season following a tough spell recovering from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his clinical performance in front of goal, while Alonso's tactics in his inaugural Clasico as coach worked like a charm.

However the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head once more.

Frustrated at being substituted, Vinicius complained on his way straight past Xabi Alonso and marched down the tunnel, before coming back to the bench after a short while.

Alonso System Delivers Results for the Midfielder

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Real's last eight bosses lost their first league match against Barcelona.

After the relaxed approach under Ancelotti did not deliver in the previous campaign, the new tactical system yielded a significant outcome.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, and the visitors struggled because of Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, if overcome, they fell back in an organised way, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape with two banks with a gap of 5-10 meters. The opposition were unable to break through.”

The tactical change appears to be beneficial for the midfielder, who last season had been tasked to do everything in the engine room and additional duties.

Theoretically Bellingham was positioned on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to move centrally and support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The analyst added, With Camavinga in the middle, it brings increased movement and more ways to block the passing lanes.”

As a result the team to put Jude wide right. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to track the forward's positioning in possession with room, connecting with him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to enter the area and be around just outside the box, where he poses a threat. Additionally, he moved centrally to close the inside channels and make Barcelona's life challenging.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

Undoubtedly that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his name rang out repeatedly by a fervent Madrid fans.

However there have been countless reports lately that Los Blancos would consider allowing his departure if the right offer were to come in.

Vinicius will have one year remaining under his current terms come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

The player's reaction after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of issues. When the match ended, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

The expert noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, since it displayed disrespect for the substitute who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, especially when you consider yourself near the best player, but the team shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he believes that the club is not defending him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and sell him.”

He is aware of this, so when the coach substituted him – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge between the club and the player currently.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in each of the last season's derbies, the latest display represented Barca's shaky early form.

Injuries have left without the Barcelona coach of important stars such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup is not effective when they are missing.

The analyst commented, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp defensively, with less desire to win it back, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”

“It's easier to attack them. If the defensive line is flawed, which was the case the first goal since the defender played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not closing down the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

The young talent, the main threat of Real last season, was neutralized.

The big names did not perform well. Yamal doesn't feel like he's in good form, possibly because of groin problems