The Madrid Giants Impressive but Vinicius Tensions Grow – Major Clasico Highlights
The match represented nearly a perfect outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they defeated Barcelona 2-1 during El Clasico to stretch their advantage at the summit of La Liga to five points.
Bellingham scored his maiden goal in the league and key pass this term following a challenging spell recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
Kylian Mbappe showed his lethal form in front of goal, while Alonso's tactics in his first Clasico in the dugout functioned brilliantly.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront once more.
Dissatisfied with his substitution, the Brazilian winger protested while walking directly past his manager and stormed to the dressing room, before coming back to the substitute area several minutes.
Tactical Setup Gets Success for Jude Bellingham
In his first derby, Alonso did well, given that seven of Real's last eight bosses were defeated in their first league match with their rivals.
After the player-focused method from the previous coach fell short in the previous campaign, his structured approach yielded a significant outcome.
An expert commented, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were impressive, while Barca were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
When not in possession, they applied pressure for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they fell back with discipline, all players including the forward.”
The team's shape in two layers separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
The tactical change seems positive for Jude, who last season was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.
Theoretically the young star played on the right, but actually he was allowed to drift inward and link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
The expert continued, Employing the French midfielder in the center, this provides greater energy and more ways to close down the channels.”
As a result the team to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he was instructed to track Mbappe's movements in possession and had space, and he found him repeatedly.”
“He was asked to enter the area and position himself near just outside the box, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play challenging.”
Conflict Issues Revealed
It's clear that the fans adore Vinicius, calls for him rang out repeatedly by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
But there have been countless reports in recent months that Real Madrid could entertain letting him leave should a suitable bid were to come in.
The winger 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 to being replaced with 20 minutes left spoke of tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Yamal.
The analyst noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated disrespect toward his replacement who came on for him.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he feels that the world is hostile.”
This mindset is tough to overcome, especially when you feel close to being number one in the world, but the team redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he's felt that the organization isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open if someone paid €250 million for his transfer and allow him to leave.”
“He feels all that, and when he was taken off – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – to him he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”
It may be challenging to reconcile between the club and him now.”
Their System “Crumbles”
Following victories in all four of recent derbies, this outing represented Barca's shaky beginning of the season.
Fitness issues have deprived the Barcelona coach of important stars such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup isn't working when they are missing.
The expert said, The squad seems lack sharpness without the ball, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive in pressing.”
“It's easier to break them down. When the backline is not perfect, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging opponents in possession adequately.”
The young talent, the main threat of Real last season, was neutralized.
“Their stars were below par. Yamal appears he is at his best, maybe due to injury issues