The Madrid Giants Commanding however Vinicius Junior Strains Intensify – Major El Clasico Talking Points
This proved to be nearly a perfect performance from Real Madrid, who beat their arch-rivals two goals to one during the Clasico to extend their lead at the summit of the Spanish league to five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his inaugural goal in the league along with key pass of the season following a challenging spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.
Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical form when scoring, and Alonso's tactics during his debut El Clasico in the dugout worked brilliantly.
But then the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront once more.
Dissatisfied with coming off, the Brazilian winger protested on his way directly past his manager and headed off the pitch, before returning on the sidelines several minutes.
Tactical Setup Delivers Results from the Midfielder
As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, considering seven of Real's previous eight managers were defeated in their first league match with Barcelona.
After the player-focused style under Ancelotti failed to get results earlier, his structured approach delivered an important victory.
An expert observed, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, and Barca didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”
When not in possession, they pushed up consistently, and when bypassed, they tracked back in an organised way, all players including Vinicius.”
The team's shape in two lines with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
The tactical change appears to be good news for the midfielder, who previously was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.
On paper the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
The analyst continued, Employing Camavinga in the middle, this provides increased movement and better ability to block the passing lanes.”
As a result the team to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure his role included to track the forward's positioning in possession and had space, connecting with him a few times.”
He was told to move into the penalty area and operate on just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to block central spaces and make the opponent's play very difficult.”
Strained Relations Laid Bare
Undoubtedly that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him rang out repeatedly by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.
However recently there were various accounts in recent months that the club could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal were to come in.
He will have a year left on his deal when this term concludes, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.
His response when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.
Balague noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship for the substitute who replaced him.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been in a hostile world, and he feels that he faces opposition.”
Such thinking is tough to overcome, especially when you believe close to being the best player, then the club redirects attention towards Mbappe as the star.”
During this campaign he's felt that the organization is not defending him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid a quarter-billion euros to sign him and sell him.”
He is aware of this, and when Alonso subbed him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in Vinicius' head he says why always me?.”
Building bridges will be tough to mend relations with the club and him now.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
After winning each of the previous campaign's derbies, the latest display represented Barca's shaky beginning of the season.
Absences have left without the manager of important stars including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach is not effective without them.
The analyst said, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp without the ball, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. Should the defense is not perfect, like on the first goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by teammates failing to press the ball-carrier as expected.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was neutralized.
“Their stars weren't at their best. Yamal appears in top condition, maybe due to groin problems