Los Blancos Impressive however Vinicius Strains Intensify – Important Spanish Derby Highlights
The match represented practically a flawless day for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat Barca 2-1 during the famous derby to stretch their lead at the top in the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham notched his first league goal and key pass of the season after a tough few months recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe maintained his deadly performance in front of goal, while the manager's strategy in his first El Clasico on the sidelines worked perfectly.
However the Vinicius Junior question emerged again once more.
Frustrated with coming off, the star forward complained while walking right by his manager and stormed to the dressing room, before returning to the bench several minutes.
Alonso System Yields Success from Jude Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, considering the majority of Madrid's recent coaches were defeated in their first league encounter with Barcelona.
Following the player-focused style from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, Alonso's positional game-model produced an important victory.
An expert observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were impressive, and Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”
Defensively, they applied pressure consistently, and if they were beaten, they tracked back with discipline, all players even the forward.”
The team's shape in two layers separated by 5-10 meters. Barcelona were unable to break through.”
The new system appears to be good news for Jude, as he in the past was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the engine room and additional duties.
In the lineup the young star was positioned on the right, however he was allowed to move centrally and support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
The analyst added, With Camavinga in the middle, it brings greater energy and better ability to shut down the spaces.”
This led to them to position Bellingham on the right flank. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements on the ball and had space, connecting with him on several occasions.”
He was told to enter the area and be around the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to cut off passing options and cause Barca's task challenging.”
Strained Relations Revealed
Undoubtedly that supporters love Vinicius, his chant were sung multiple times by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
However recently there were various accounts in recent months that Los Blancos could entertain allowing his departure if an attractive proposal arrived.
Vinicius will have a year left under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet discussions on a renewal have stalled.
His response when substituted late in the game suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.
Balague commented, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”
However, from a young age, he has existed amid adversity, and perceives that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you consider yourself close to being number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus to Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he's felt that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open if someone paid €250 million for his transfer and sell him.”
He is aware of this, and after Alonso subbed him – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as required – to him he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to build a bridge with the club and Vinicius at the moment.”
Barca's Approach “Struggles”
After winning each of the previous campaign's matches, this outing represented Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Injuries have left without the Barcelona coach of key players including the Brazilian winger, the striker and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective in their absence.
The analyst commented, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, softer to reclaim the ball.”
“It's easier to attack them. When the backline is not organized, like on the Mbappe goal since the defender played him onside, they receive little support from the attack not challenging opponents in possession adequately.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was well contained.
The big names weren't at their best. Yamal seems not in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue