Los Blancos Impressive but Vinicius Junior Tensions Grow – Important Spanish Derby Highlights
The match represented almost an ideal outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat Barca 2-1 during El Clasico to increase their lead in first place in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham notched his maiden league goal along with assist of the season after a tough few months healing from shoulder surgery.
Mbappe continued his clinical form in attack, and the coach's game plan in his first Clasico in the dugout worked like a charm.
But then the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again yet again.
Unhappy at his substitution, the star forward protested while walking right by Xabi Alonso and marched off the pitch, then returning to the substitute area after a short while.
Alonso System Delivers Positive Outcomes from Bellingham
In his first derby, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Madrid's recent coaches lost their debut La Liga meeting against their rivals.
After the player-focused method from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, the new tactical system produced an important victory.
An expert noted, His plan was perfect. The home side were impressive, while Barca were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
“Without the ball, they pressed high as much as possible, and when bypassed, they retreated in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”
Their defensive setup in two layers separated by a short distance. Barcelona could not find a way through.”
This approach seems good news for Jude, as he last season had been tasked to carry the midfield in the engine room and additional duties.
In the lineup the young star was positioned on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to move centrally and link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
Balague added, Employing the French midfielder in the middle, it brings more dynamism and additional options to close down the spaces.”
“That forced the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure he was instructed to track the runs of Mbappe in possession with room, and he found him a few times.”
His instructions included to enter the area and position himself near just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and cause Barca's task tough.”
Conflict Issues Revealed
Undoubtedly that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, his chant was chanted multiple times by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
However recently there were countless reports in recent months that the club might think about selling him should a suitable bid arrived.
The winger will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, yet talks over a new deal have stalled.
The player's reaction when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated strained relations. When the match ended, teammates intervened when he moved toward the Barcelona player.
The expert said, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement who replaced him.”
“But since being a kid, he has existed in a challenging environment, and perceives that he faces opposition.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, especially when you feel near the best player, and the organization shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the star.”
Recently he's felt that the organization 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 a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”
This affects him, and when he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as expected – in Vinicius' head he questions why single me out?’.”
“It will be difficult to reconcile between the club and the player currently.”
Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”
Having triumphed in each of the last season's matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Absences have left without the Barcelona coach of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system isn't working when they are missing.
The expert stated, Barcelona appear lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, softer in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. If the defensive line is not organized, as it wasn't the first goal as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped by teammates not challenging those on the ball adequately.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was well contained.
“Their stars did not perform well. The youngster seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems