🔗 Share this article

It was nearly a perfect outing for Real Madrid, who overcame Barcelona two goals to one during El Clasico to increase the gap at the summit in La Liga to five points.

The English midfielder scored his first domestic strike and setup this term following a challenging spell recovering from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his clinical touch in front of goal, while the coach's game plan in his first Clasico on the sidelines worked perfectly.

However the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront yet again.

Frustrated with being substituted, Vinicius protested on his way right by the coach and headed off the pitch, before reappearing to the substitute area after a short while.

Manager's Approach Delivers Results for Bellingham

In his first derby, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Real's last eight managers lost their first league encounter against Barca.

Following the laissez-faire approach from the previous coach failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced its first major result.

Spanish football analyst noted, His plan was perfect. Madrid performed excellently, while Barcelona struggled due to the home team's approach.”

When not in possession, they pushed up as much as possible, if overcome, they fell back in an organised way, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape in two layers spaced by five to 10 metres. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

This approach looks to be good news for the midfielder, as he previously was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.

On paper Bellingham started wide right, but in practice he could to come inside and either link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The expert added, “By using Eduardo Camavinga in the center, you get more dynamism and additional options to shut down the passing lanes.”

As a result them to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure he was instructed to track Mbappe's movements on the ball and had space, and he located him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to enter the area and operate on the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options creating Barca's task challenging.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans adore Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

Yet multiple various accounts lately that Real Madrid could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal was made.

He has one season to go under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior to being replaced with 20 minutes left suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he attempted to confront Yamal.

The analyst commented, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, as it demonstrated disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, his life has been amid adversity, and perceives that he faces opposition.”

“That mentality is tough to overcome, notably when you believe near the best player, then the club drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he has perceived that the organization is not defending him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open if someone paid €250 million for his transfer and let him go.”

This affects him, and when he was taken off – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in Vinicius' head he thinks why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to reconcile with the club and the player currently.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

After winning each of the previous campaign's derbies, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of key players such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system isn't working in their absence.

Balague commented, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. Should the defense is not organized, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack failing to press those on the ball adequately.”

The young talent, who troubled Madrid earlier, was well contained.

Key players did not perform well. The youngster doesn't feel like he's in good form, possibly because of injury issues