Los Blancos Commanding yet Vinicius Junior Issues Intensify – Important Clasico Talking Points
This proved to be practically a flawless performance from Real Madrid, who defeated their arch-rivals two goals to one during El Clasico and stretch their advantage at the summit of the Spanish league by five points.
The English midfielder got his maiden league goal and key pass this campaign following a difficult spell coming back from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe continued his lethal touch when scoring, while Alonso's tactics during his debut derby in the dugout worked like a charm.
However the Vinicius Junior question reared its head once more.
Frustrated at coming off, the star forward ranted as he walked straight past the coach before headed to the dressing room, then coming back on the sidelines several minutes.
Manager's Approach Gets Positive Outcomes from Bellingham
In his first derby, Alonso did well, given that the majority of Madrid's recent bosses lost their first La Liga meeting against Barcelona.
After the relaxed approach from the previous coach fell short earlier, his structured approach delivered a significant outcome.
Spanish football analyst noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, and the visitors struggled because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
When not in possession, they pressed high for as long as they could, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, everybody including the forward.”
“They defended in two lines separated by 5-10 meters. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”
The new system seems positive for Jude, who last season was essentially asked to do everything in the engine room and beyond.
On paper Bellingham was positioned on the right, but in practice he was allowed to drift inward and either assist the attack or crash the penalty area.
The expert stated, With the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides more dynamism and better ability to shut down the spaces.”
As a result the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly his role included to monitor the forward's positioning in possession and found openings, and he located him repeatedly.”
His instructions included to get into the box and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to block central spaces and cause Barcelona's life very difficult.”
Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare
It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, calls for him were sung on several occasions by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
However recently there were various accounts in recent months that Los Blancos might think about selling him if an attractive proposal were to come in.
He will have a year left on his contract when this term concludes, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.
His response after coming off late in the game indicated strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back as he attempted to confront Yamal.
The expert said, He will face backlash and rightly so, since it displayed a lack of respect for Rodrygo who came on for him.”
However, from a young age, his life has been in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.”
“That mentality is hard to change, especially when you feel on the verge of number one in the world, then the club redirects attention towards Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he believes that Real Madrid has not supported him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they might accept an offer worth a quarter-billion euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in Vinicius' head he thinks why single me out?’.”
“It will be difficult to build a bridge among the parties and him now.”
Their System “Struggles”
Following victories in all four of recent derbies, Sunday's performance represented Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.
Fitness issues have left without the manager of key players including Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the tactical setup is not effective in their absence.
The analyst said, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, softer to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to attack them. Should the defense is not organized, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not closing down opponents in possession as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was neutralized.
Key players did not perform well. Yamal seems not he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue