Real Madrid Impressive yet Vinicius Strains Grow – Important Clasico Talking Points
The match represented nearly a perfect day for Real Madrid, who defeated Barca 2-1 during the famous derby to extend their lead in first place of La Liga to five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his first goal in the league and setup this term after a tough few months recovering from shoulder surgery.
Kylian Mbappe showed his lethal form in front of goal, while the coach's game plan during his debut El Clasico on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.
But then the Vinicius Junior question emerged again yet again.
Unhappy with being substituted, the star forward ranted on his way directly past his manager before headed off the pitch, then reappearing on the sidelines after a short while.
Alonso System Yields Results for Jude Bellingham
In his first derby, Alonso did well, especially since the majority of Real's last eight managers lost their first La Liga encounter against Barca.
After the relaxed approach of Carlo Ancelotti fell short last season, his structured approach yielded its first major result.
An expert commented, His plan was perfect. The home side performed excellently, while Barcelona didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”
When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, if overcome, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody even Vinicius.”
Their defensive setup in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
This approach appears to be beneficial for Jude, as he last season was essentially asked to do everything in the engine room and additional duties.
In the lineup the young star was positioned on the right, but actually he was allowed to come inside and support Mbappe or enter the box.
The expert added, With Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, you get more dynamism and better ability to close down the channels.”
“That forced them to put Bellingham wide right. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to monitor the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”
He was told to get into the box and be around the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating Barcelona's life very difficult.”
Strained Relations Exposed
Undoubtedly that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his chant were sung on several occasions by a fervent Madrid fans.
But recently there were various accounts over the past period that the club would consider letting him leave should a suitable bid arrived.
He has one year remaining under his current terms when this term concludes, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
His response when substituted in the second half suggested strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.
Balague noted, Many will criticize him and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship toward his replacement who came on for him.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived amid adversity, and he feels that he faces opposition.”
This mindset is tough to overcome, notably when you feel near the top star, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he's felt that the organization has not supported him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of €250 million for him and allow him to leave.”
He is aware of this, and when he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in his mind he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to mend relations between the club and him now.”
Barcelona Style “Struggles”
After winning each of the recent Clasicos, the latest display was emblematic of Barca's shaky early form.
Absences have deprived the manager of important stars including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach is failing in their absence.
Balague stated, The squad seems lack sharpness without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. Should the defense is not organized, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they receive little support by teammates failing to press opponents in possession as expected.”
Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was well contained.
“Their stars did not perform well. Yamal seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues