Real Madrid Impressive yet Vinicius Junior Strains Intensify – Major Clasico Talking Points
It was practically a flawless day from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat their arch-rivals two goals to one in El Clasico to increase their advantage at the top of the Spanish league by five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his first domestic strike along with setup this campaign after a difficult few months recovering from a shoulder operation.
Mbappe continued his deadly touch when scoring, and the manager's strategy in his first derby on the sidelines proved like a charm.
But then the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront yet again.
Frustrated at his substitution, the star forward complained as he walked straight past Xabi Alonso and marched off the pitch, before reappearing on the sidelines several minutes.
Alonso System Delivers Positive Outcomes from Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, considering seven of Real's previous eight coaches lost their debut La Liga encounter with Barca.
Following the laissez-faire method from the previous coach fell short earlier, the new tactical system yielded a significant outcome.
Spanish football analyst commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, and Barca were off-color because of the home team's approach.”
Defensively, they pressed high for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they retreated in a structured manner, everybody even the forward.”
The team's shape with two banks spaced by 5-10 meters. Barca were unable to break through.”
The new system seems good news for Bellingham, as he in the past was expected to carry the midfield in midfield and beyond.
In the lineup the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but in practice he was allowed to drift inward and support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
Balague continued, With the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides greater energy and more ways to shut down the spaces.”
“That forced them to deploy Jude on the right flank. Certainly he was instructed to monitor the runs of Mbappe in possession and had space, and he found him a few times.”
He was told to get into the box and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels and cause the opponent's play challenging.”
Strained Relations Exposed
It's clear that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him rang out multiple times by an enthusiastic home supporters.
Yet multiple various accounts lately that Los Blancos might think about selling him if an attractive proposal arrived.
He will have one year remaining on his contract at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal have stalled.
Vinicius' behavior when substituted with 20 minutes left suggested tension. When the match ended, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Yamal.
The analyst said, Many will criticize him for good reason, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement who came on for him.”
However, from a young age, his life has been in a hostile world, and perceives that he faces opposition.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, especially when you believe near the top star, and the organization shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the star.”
Recently he believes that the club has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open an offer worth €250 million to sign him and sell him.”
This affects him, and after Alonso subbed him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as required – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to reconcile among the parties and Vinicius currently.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Following victories in all four of last season's derbies, the latest display represented Barca's shaky start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the tactical setup is not effective when they are missing.
The expert said, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
“It's easier to attack them. Should the defense is not perfect, as it wasn't the first goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by teammates not challenging those on the ball as expected.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was neutralized.
The big names were below par. Lamine appears in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues