🔗 Share this article

This proved to be nearly a perfect day for Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated Barca by a 2-1 scoreline in the Clasico and extend their lead at the summit in the Spanish league by five points.

Bellingham got his inaugural goal in the league and setup this term following a difficult few months recovering from a shoulder operation.

The French forward showed his clinical form in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his first derby in the dugout proved like a charm.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head yet again.

Unhappy with coming off, the Brazilian winger complained as he walked right by his manager before headed to the dressing room, then reappearing to the bench after a short while.

Alonso System Gets Results from the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering seven of Real's previous eight bosses lost their initial La Liga encounter with Barcelona.

After the relaxed style of Carlo Ancelotti fell short earlier, the new tactical system yielded an important victory.

An expert noted, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca struggled because of the home team's approach.”

When not in possession, they pressed high for as long as they could, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, everybody even the forward.”

Their defensive setup with two banks separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

The tactical change seems good news for Jude, who previously was expected to carry the midfield in the engine room and additional duties.

Theoretically the young star started wide right, however he was allowed to come inside and link with Mbappe or enter the box.

The analyst added, With the French midfielder in central midfield, you get increased movement and better ability to close down the channels.”

As a result them to deploy Jude on the right flank. Certainly he would have been asked to keep an eye on the forward's positioning on the ball and had space, and he located him a few times.”

His instructions included to get into the box and operate on just outside the box, where he poses a threat. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and make Barca's task very difficult.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his chant rang out on several occasions by a fervent home supporters.

However recently there were various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid might think about letting him leave should a suitable bid arrived.

The winger will have a year left on his contract come the end of the season, yet discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

His response when substituted late in the game spoke of tension. Post-game, he was held back when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The expert noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, as it demonstrated a lack of respect toward his replacement taking his place.”

However, from a young age, his life has been in a hostile world, and perceives that the world is hostile.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, particularly since you consider yourself close to being the top star, and the organization redirects attention to Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he has perceived that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open a bid of a quarter-billion euros to sign him and let him go.”

He is aware of this, and after the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as he should – to him he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge between the club and him now.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Following victories in each of the previous campaign's Clasicos, Sunday's performance highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing early form.

Fitness issues have left without Hansi Flick of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the tactical setup isn't working without them.

Balague said, The squad seems are slightly off without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity in pressing.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. Should the defense is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support from the attack not challenging the ball-carrier as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was kept largely in check.

The big names did not perform well. Yamal seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems