Los Blancos Commanding however Vinicius Tensions Grow – Major Spanish Derby Talking Points
It was nearly a perfect day for the Madrid side, as they overcame Barca 2-1 in El Clasico and extend their advantage at the top of the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham got his first league goal along with setup of the season after a difficult period coming back from a shoulder operation.
The French forward maintained his deadly performance when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural El Clasico on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront another time.
Dissatisfied with coming off, the star forward ranted while walking right by Xabi Alonso before marched down the tunnel, before reappearing to the substitute area several minutes.
Manager's Approach Yields Positive Outcomes from Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, especially since the majority of Madrid's last eight bosses lost their first La Liga encounter with Barcelona.
Following the player-focused method of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver last season, Alonso's positional game-model delivered an important victory.
Spanish football analyst commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side were very good, and the visitors didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”
“Without the ball, they pushed up for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they retreated in an organised way, all players including Vinicius.”
The team's shape with two banks with a gap of a short distance. The opposition were unable to break through.”
The tactical change appears to be positive for Bellingham, who in the past had been tasked to do everything in midfield and additional duties.
In the lineup the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but actually he was allowed to come inside and assist the attack or crash the penalty area.
The analyst stated, Employing Camavinga in the middle, it brings more dynamism and additional options to close down the channels.”
As a result the team to put Bellingham on the right flank. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements in possession with room, and he located him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to get into the box and operate on just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and cause Barcelona's life challenging.”
Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare
Undoubtedly that Madridistas love Vinicius, his name was chanted on several occasions by a fervent Madrid fans.
However there have been various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid would consider selling him if an attractive proposal were to come in.
The winger will have one season to go under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but talks over a new deal have stalled.
His response after coming off late in the game indicated tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.
Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, as it demonstrated a lack of respect for the substitute who replaced him.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived in a hostile world, and he believes that everyone is against him.”
“That mentality is difficult to shake, especially when you believe on the verge of the best player, then the club drives the axis to Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he's felt that the club isn't protecting him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they might accept if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and sell him.”
“He feels all that, so when he was taken off – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in Vinicius' head he says why single me out?’.”
Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge between the club and Vinicius now.”
Their System “Struggles”
Having triumphed in each of the previous campaign's Clasicos, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain start to the campaign.
Injuries have left without the Barcelona coach of key players such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective when they are missing.
The analyst stated, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. Should the defense is not perfect, which was the case Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack not challenging opponents in possession as expected.”
Lamine Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.
The big names were below par. The youngster doesn't feel like in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue