🔗 Share this article

The match represented nearly a perfect day for the Madrid side, as they overcame Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico and extend their lead in first place in La Liga with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham scored his maiden domestic strike and assist this term after a challenging spell healing from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his lethal touch when scoring, and the manager's strategy in his first derby on the sidelines worked perfectly.

However the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again once more.

Unhappy at being substituted, Vinicius ranted as he walked right by Xabi Alonso and marched down the tunnel, before coming back on the sidelines several minutes.

Alonso System Delivers Success for Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, considering seven of Madrid's recent bosses lost their first league encounter against their rivals.

After the relaxed approach from the previous coach did not deliver in the previous campaign, the new tactical system delivered a significant outcome.

An expert observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while the visitors were off-color due to Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they pressed high for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they retreated in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two layers separated by 5-10 meters. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

This approach seems beneficial for Jude, who in the past had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the center and more.

On paper Bellingham played on the right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and either assist the attack or enter the box.

The analyst continued, With Camavinga in central midfield, you get greater energy and more ways to block the spaces.”

“That forced the team to put Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly he would have been asked to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, and he found him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels creating Barca's task very difficult.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his chant were sung multiple times by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

But multiple countless reports in recent months that Real Madrid might think about selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.

He has one year remaining under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal have not progressed.

His response after coming off in the second half suggested tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

Balague noted, Many will criticize him and rightly so, since it displayed disrespect toward his replacement who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, he has lived amid adversity, and he feels that everyone is against him.”

“That mentality is hard to change, notably when you consider yourself near the top star, and the organization redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he has perceived that the club is not defending him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, and after Alonso subbed him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in Vinicius' head he says why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and the player now.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in all four of previous campaign's matches, Sunday's performance highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Absences have deprived the manager of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the tactical setup is not effective when they are missing.

Balague commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive in pressing.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. Should the defense is not organized, like on Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped from the attack not closing down the ball-carrier adequately.”

The young talent, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was neutralized.

Key players were below par. Yamal seems not he's in good form, possibly because of injury issues