🔗 Share this article

The match represented practically a flawless day for Real Madrid, as they beat their arch-rivals two goals to one during the Clasico and extend the gap at the top of La Liga with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder notched his inaugural domestic strike and assist this campaign after a challenging few months coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe continued his lethal performance in front of goal, while Alonso's tactics in his inaugural derby as coach functioned perfectly.

However the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.

Frustrated at his substitution, Vinicius protested on his way directly past his manager and headed down the tunnel, before coming back to the bench several minutes.

Alonso System Delivers Positive Outcomes for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's previous eight managers lost their initial La Liga encounter against Barcelona.

After the player-focused approach of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model produced a significant outcome.

An expert commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were impressive, and Barcelona struggled due to Madrid's tactics.”

“Without the ball, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they fell back in an organised way, all players including Vinicius.”

“They defended with two banks spaced by a short distance. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

The tactical change seems good news for Jude, as he last season was essentially asked to carry the midfield in midfield and more.

Theoretically Bellingham was positioned on the right, but in practice he was allowed to drift inward and support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The analyst continued, With the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides greater energy and additional options to block the spaces.”

“That forced them to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he was instructed to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball with room, and he found him a few times.”

His instructions included to get into the box and operate on just outside the box, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to close the inside channels and cause the opponent's play very difficult.”

Strained Relations Exposed

It's clear that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him rang out on several occasions by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.

Yet there have been various accounts in recent months that the club would consider letting him leave if the right offer was made.

Vinicius has one year remaining on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal are at a standstill.

His response when substituted in the second half spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Yamal.

The expert noted, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, since it displayed a lack of respect for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, he has lived in a hostile world, and he believes that the world is hostile.”

“That mentality is tough to overcome, notably when you feel near the top star, then the club redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he believes that the organization isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they would be open if someone paid a quarter-billion euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”

This affects him, and when he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as required – to him he thinks why single me out?’.”

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

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

After winning all four of recent matches, Sunday's performance represented their uncertain beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have deprived the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the approach is not effective without them.

The analyst commented, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. If the defensive line is not organized, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped from the attack not closing down those on the ball as expected.”

Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.

“Their stars were below par. The youngster doesn't feel like in top condition, maybe due to a groin issue