Los Blancos Commanding but Vinicius Issues Escalate – Key El Clasico Talking Points
It was nearly a flawless day from the Madrid side, as they defeated Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline in the Clasico and extend their advantage in first place of the Spanish league to five points.
Jude Bellingham scored his first goal in the league and assist this term after a tough few months recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe continued his lethal form in attack, while the coach's game plan during his debut derby in the dugout proved brilliantly.
Yet the Brazilian's situation emerged again once more.
Unhappy with his substitution, the Brazilian winger ranted while walking directly past Xabi Alonso before headed down the tunnel, before reappearing to the substitute area after a short while.
Alonso System Gets Positive Outcomes from the Midfielder
In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, given that the majority of Real's previous eight managers lost their first La Liga match with Barcelona.
After the player-focused approach under Ancelotti failed to get results last season, Alonso's positional game-model produced its first major result.
An expert observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while Barca were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
“Without the ball, they pressed high consistently, and when bypassed, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody even the forward.”
“They defended in two lines with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barca were unable to break through.”
The tactical change seems beneficial for Jude, who previously was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the center and beyond.
In the lineup the 22-year-old started wide right, however he could to come inside and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
The analyst continued, “By using the French midfielder in the center, it brings more dynamism and additional options to close down the spaces.”
This led to them to deploy Jude wide right. I'm sure he would have been asked to track the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball with room, connecting with him repeatedly.”
He was told to enter the area and be around the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play very difficult.”
Strained Relations Laid Bare
There's no doubting that supporters adore Vinicius, his chant was chanted on several occasions by an enthusiastic home supporters.
Yet multiple various accounts over the past period that the club could entertain allowing his departure if the right offer arrived.
He will have one season to go under his current terms come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.
Vinicius' behavior when substituted in the second half suggested strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he tried to approach Yamal.
The analyst commented, Many will criticize him for good reason, since it displayed a lack of respect for Rodrygo taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived amid adversity, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you believe near number one in the world, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he has perceived that the club has not supported him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”
“He feels all that, so when he was taken off – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in his mind he thinks why always me?.”
It may be challenging to mend relations among the parties and the player now.”
Barcelona Style “Crumbles”
Following victories in each of the previous campaign's matches, this outing represented Barca's shaky start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have left without Hansi Flick of important stars including the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup is failing when they are missing.
The analyst commented, “It's like the whole team are slightly off without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
They are more vulnerable to break them down. Should the defense is not organized, which was the case Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped by teammates not closing down the ball-carrier as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was kept largely in check.
The big names were below par. The youngster seems not in top condition, maybe due to injury issues