The Madrid Giants Commanding yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Grow – Major Spanish Derby Talking Points
It was nearly an ideal outing from Real Madrid, as they overcame Barca two goals to one during El Clasico to increase their advantage in first place in La Liga with a five-point cushion.
Bellingham scored his maiden domestic strike and setup this term after a difficult few months healing from surgery on his shoulder.
The French forward showed his clinical performance in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his inaugural derby on the sidelines proved brilliantly.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head once more.
Unhappy with coming off, the Brazilian winger complained on his way right by Xabi Alonso and marched down the tunnel, before reappearing on the sidelines after a short while.
Tactical Setup Yields Positive Outcomes from Jude Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Real's previous eight managers were defeated in their debut La Liga match against Barcelona.
After the laissez-faire method under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded a significant outcome.
An expert noted, “He got it spot on. Madrid performed excellently, and the visitors didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”
When not in possession, they pressed high as much as possible, and when bypassed, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody including the forward.”
“They defended in two layers separated by 5-10 meters. Barca struggled to penetrate.”
The new system looks to be beneficial for Bellingham, as he last season was expected to carry the midfield in the center and beyond.
Theoretically the young star was positioned on the right, however he could to drift inward and either support Mbappe or enter the box.
The expert stated, “By using the French midfielder in central midfield, it brings increased movement and better ability to close down the spaces.”
“That forced them to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly his role included to track the forward's positioning in possession with room, and he located him repeatedly.”
“He was asked to move into the penalty area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to close the inside channels and make Barcelona's life challenging.”
Strained Relations Laid Bare
There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his chant rang out multiple times by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.
But there have been numerous stories over the past period that Los Blancos could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal was made.
Vinicius will have a year left on his deal come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.
The player's reaction after coming off with 20 minutes left suggested strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.
Balague said, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed poor sportsmanship toward his replacement who came on for him.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived amid adversity, and perceives that the world is hostile.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, notably when you consider yourself near the best player, but the team redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.”
Recently he's felt that the organization has not supported him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of €250 million for his transfer and sell him.”
“He feels all that, so when he was taken off – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – in Vinicius' head he questions why always me?.”
“It will be difficult to mend relations between the club and him at the moment.”
Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”
Following victories in all four of recent matches, Sunday's performance highlighted Barca's shaky start to the campaign.
Absences have left without the manager of important stars such as Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the tactical setup is not effective without them.
The analyst commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer to reclaim the ball.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. If the defensive line is not perfect, like on Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging the ball-carrier as expected.”
Yamal, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was neutralized.
The big names did not perform well. Lamine seems not he's in good form, maybe due to injury issues