🔗 Share this article

It was practically a flawless performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated their arch-rivals 2-1 in El Clasico to extend their advantage at the top of the domestic championship to five points.

Jude Bellingham got his inaugural league goal and setup this campaign following a challenging period recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe showed his clinical touch in front of goal, while the manager's strategy in his inaugural El Clasico as coach functioned perfectly.

But then the Brazilian's situation emerged again once more.

Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger ranted on his way directly past his manager and marched off the pitch, then returning on the sidelines later.

Tactical Setup Yields Success from Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Real's recent managers lost their first league meeting with their rivals.

Following the relaxed approach of Carlo Ancelotti fell short last season, the new tactical system yielded a significant outcome.

A specialist commented, His plan was perfect. The home side performed excellently, while Barcelona were off-color because of the home team's approach.”

When not in possession, they pressed high for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they fell back in a structured manner, everybody including Vinicius.”

“They defended with two banks spaced by 5-10 meters. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

The new system seems beneficial for the midfielder, who in the past was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and additional duties.

On paper Bellingham was positioned on the right, but actually he was allowed to drift inward and assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

Balague stated, “By using Camavinga in central midfield, you get greater energy and additional options to close down the spaces.”

As a result them to position Bellingham on the right flank. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements on the ball and found openings, connecting with him repeatedly.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and operate on the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels creating Barca's task challenging.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

It's clear that the fans love Vinicius, his name were sung multiple times by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

Yet recently there were various accounts lately that the club might think about letting him leave if the right offer were to come in.

He has one year remaining on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal have not progressed.

Vinicius' behavior after coming off in the second half spoke of strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

Balague noted, He will face backlash for good reason, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement who replaced him.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed in a hostile world, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is hard to change, particularly since you consider yourself close to being number one in the world, but the team redirects attention to Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he's felt that the organization is not defending him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept a bid of a quarter-billion euros for him and let him go.”

This affects him, so when Alonso subbed him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in his mind he thinks why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and him currently.”

Barcelona Style “Struggles”

Following victories in all four of recent matches, this outing highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have robbed the Barcelona coach of important stars such as the Brazilian winger, the striker plus others, and the approach isn't working in their absence.

Balague stated, The squad seems are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, softer to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. Should the defense is not perfect, which was the case the first goal since the defender kept him onside, they are not helped by teammates failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”

Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was neutralized.

“Their stars weren't at their best. Yamal seems not he's in good form, maybe due to groin problems