The Madrid Giants Impressive yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Grow – Major El Clasico Talking Points
The match represented practically a flawless performance for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they defeated their arch-rivals two goals to one in El Clasico to stretch their lead at the summit in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with setup of the season following a challenging period recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
Kylian Mbappe showed his lethal performance in front of goal, and the manager's strategy during his debut Clasico in the dugout proved like a charm.
But then the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront once more.
Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger ranted as he walked right by his manager before stormed down the tunnel, then reappearing on the sidelines after a short while.
Tactical Setup Yields Success for Bellingham
In his first derby, it was a solid start, considering seven of Real's recent managers lost their debut league encounter against Barca.
After the laissez-faire method of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, the new tactical system produced an important victory.
An expert noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were impressive, while Barcelona were off-color due to the home team's approach.”
When not in possession, they pushed up as much as possible, and when bypassed, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”
The team's shape in two layers spaced by five to 10 metres. The opposition could not find a way through.”
This approach looks to be beneficial for Jude, who in the past was expected to carry the midfield in the engine room and more.
In the lineup the young star played on the right, but actually he was allowed to move centrally and either support Mbappe or enter the box.
The analyst continued, With Camavinga in the center, you get more dynamism and additional options to shut down the passing lanes.”
This led to the team to position Jude wide right. I'm sure his role included to keep an eye on the forward's positioning on the ball and had space, connecting with him a few times.”
He was told to enter the area and operate on the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to block central spaces creating Barcelona's life challenging.”
Conflict Issues Laid Bare
There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant were sung repeatedly by the passionate home supporters.
However multiple various accounts lately that the club could entertain selling him should a suitable bid arrived.
Vinicius has one season to go on his deal when this term concludes, but talks over a new deal are at a standstill.
The player's reaction after coming off late in the game suggested issues. When the match ended, teammates intervened when he moved toward Yamal.
Balague commented, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement who replaced him.”
However, from a young age, he has existed in a hostile world, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
“That mentality is hard to change, especially when you believe close to being the best player, and the organization redirects attention towards Mbappe as the key figure.”
During this campaign he's felt that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept an offer worth 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”
This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in Vinicius' head he says why single me out?’.”
Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and the player at the moment.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Following victories in all four of previous campaign's derbies, the latest display represented Barcelona's unconvincing early form.
Fitness issues have left without the Barcelona coach of key players such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system is not effective without them.
Balague commented, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. When the backline is not organized, as it wasn't the first goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”
Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was well contained.
Key players were below par. Lamine seems not he is at his best, maybe due to a groin issue