The Madrid Giants Strong yet Vinicius Junior Strains Grow – Key El Clasico Takeaways

It was nearly a flawless day from Xabi Alonso's squad, who overcame Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico to stretch their advantage at the summit of La Liga with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham got his first league goal along with assist this campaign after a difficult few months coming back from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his clinical touch in attack, while the coach's game plan in his inaugural Clasico in the dugout functioned brilliantly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront once more.

Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger complained on his way right by Xabi Alonso and marched to the dressing room, before coming back on the sidelines several minutes.

Tactical Setup Gets Results from Bellingham

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, considering seven of Real's previous eight coaches were defeated in their first league meeting with Barca.

After the relaxed style of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, the new tactical system produced its first major result.

A specialist observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were very good, while Barca struggled due to Madrid's tactics.”

Defensively, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup with two banks separated by 5-10 meters. Barca could not find a way through.”

The new system appears to be good news for the midfielder, as he previously was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the engine room and beyond.

On paper Bellingham started wide right, but in practice he was allowed to drift inward and either link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

Balague added, “By using Camavinga in the center, it brings more dynamism and additional options to shut down the spaces.”

This led to them to put Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements in possession and found openings, connecting with him repeatedly.”

He was told to move into the penalty area and position himself near just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also came inside to close the inside channels and cause Barca's task challenging.”

Conflict Issues Revealed

It's clear that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his name were sung repeatedly by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

However recently there were countless reports lately that Los Blancos would consider allowing his departure should a suitable bid arrived.

Vinicius will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

The player's reaction to being replaced in the second half indicated tension. When the match ended, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach Yamal.

The expert noted, Many will criticize him and rightly so, as it demonstrated disrespect for the substitute who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, especially when you consider yourself close to being number one in the world, and the organization drives the axis to Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he has perceived that the organization isn't protecting him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they might accept a bid of €250 million for his transfer and let him go.”

This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – in his mind he says why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to build a bridge with the club and him at the moment.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

After winning all four of recent matches, Sunday's performance represented their uncertain beginning of the season.

Absences have robbed the manager of important stars such as Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the approach is failing without them.

The analyst commented, The squad seems are slightly off without the ball, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. Should the defense is not perfect, like on the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging those on the ball as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was well contained.

The big names did not perform well. Yamal appears he's in good form, possibly because of injury issues