🔗 Share this article

It was practically an ideal performance for Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated their arch-rivals 2-1 during El Clasico and stretch the gap at the summit of the Spanish league to five points.

Bellingham notched his inaugural domestic strike and key pass this campaign after a tough spell recovering from shoulder surgery.

Mbappe maintained his deadly form when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural derby on the sidelines worked like a charm.

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

Unhappy at coming off, the star forward ranted while walking directly past his manager before stormed to the dressing room, then coming back on the sidelines several minutes.

Alonso System Yields Positive Outcomes from the Midfielder

In his first derby, Alonso did well, especially since the majority of Real's previous eight coaches were defeated in their first league meeting with their rivals.

Following the laissez-faire style under Ancelotti failed to get results earlier, Alonso's positional game-model delivered its first major result.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid were very good, while Barcelona were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”

Defensively, they pressed high as much as possible, if overcome, they retreated in a structured manner, all players even the forward.”

Their defensive setup in two layers separated by a short distance. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change seems good news for Bellingham, who in the past was expected to carry the midfield in the center and more.

On paper the young star started wide right, however he was allowed to drift inward and either assist the attack or enter the box.

The expert stated, “By using the French midfielder in the middle, it brings more dynamism and additional options to shut down the passing lanes.”

This led to the team to put Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he was instructed to track the forward's positioning on the ball and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and be around the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces creating Barca's task very difficult.”

Strained Relations Revealed

There's no doubting that the fans adore Vinicius, calls for him rang out repeatedly by a fervent home supporters.

Yet there have been various accounts in recent months that Los Blancos might think about allowing his departure if the right offer was made.

The winger will have one year remaining on his contract at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.

The player's reaction to being replaced with 20 minutes left suggested strained relations. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.

The analyst noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he feels that he faces opposition.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, particularly since you believe close to being the best player, and the organization shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he has perceived that the organization has not supported him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and when he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to build a bridge with the club and the player now.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

Following victories in each of the recent matches, this outing represented Barca's shaky beginning of the season.

Injuries have robbed Hansi Flick of important stars including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup isn't working in their absence.

The analyst commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. If the defensive line is flawed, like on the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”

Yamal, the main threat earlier, was neutralized.

“Their stars weren't at their best. The youngster doesn't feel like in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue