Los Blancos Impressive but Vinicius Tensions Escalate – Major Clasico Takeaways
It was nearly a perfect day from Real Madrid, as they beat Barca by a 2-1 scoreline in the famous derby to extend their advantage at the summit of the domestic championship by five points.
The English midfielder got his inaugural goal in the league and key pass of the season after a tough spell healing from shoulder surgery.
The French forward maintained his lethal touch when scoring, while the manager's strategy in his inaugural El Clasico in the dugout worked perfectly.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.
Frustrated at coming off, Vinicius ranted on his way right by Xabi Alonso and headed down the tunnel, then reappearing on the sidelines after a short while.
Alonso System Gets Results for Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, considering seven of Madrid's recent managers were defeated in their first La Liga match against Barca.
Following the player-focused method under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, the new tactical system delivered an important victory.
Spanish football analyst commented, His plan was perfect. The home side performed excellently, while Barcelona struggled because of Madrid's tactics.”
“Without the ball, they pushed up for as long as they could, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, all players including Vinicius.”
The team's shape in two layers spaced by 5-10 meters. The opposition could not find a way through.”
The tactical change looks to be positive for Jude, as he last season was expected to do everything in the engine room and additional duties.
In the lineup the young star played on the right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and either assist the attack or enter the box.
The expert added, “By using Eduardo Camavinga in the center, this provides increased movement and more ways to close down the spaces.”
As a result the team to deploy Bellingham on the right flank. Undoubtedly he was instructed to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements on the ball with room, and he found him repeatedly.”
He was told to move into the penalty area and be around just outside the box, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options and cause Barca's task very difficult.”
Strained Relations Exposed
It's clear that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him rang out repeatedly by the passionate Madrid fans.
However multiple numerous stories in recent months that Los Blancos might think about allowing his departure if the right offer arrived.
He has one year remaining under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension have not progressed.
The player's reaction when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated issues. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.
Balague noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed disrespect for the substitute taking his place.”
However, from a young age, he has lived amid adversity, and he feels that the world is hostile.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, notably when you feel on the verge of the top star, and the organization drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
Recently he has perceived that the club is not defending him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth 250m euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
“He feels all that, and when the coach substituted him – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as required – in Vinicius' head he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and him currently.”
Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”
After winning all four of previous campaign's derbies, this outing represented Barca's shaky start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach is not effective in their absence.
The expert commented, “It's like the whole team are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
“It's easier to attack them. Should the defense is flawed, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press those on the ball adequately.”
The young talent, the main threat in previous meetings, was neutralized.
Key players did not perform well. Yamal appears in top condition, possibly because of a groin issue