Los Blancos Impressive yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Escalate – Key Clasico Highlights
This proved to be almost an ideal outing from Real Madrid, who beat Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during El Clasico to extend their advantage in first place in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
The English midfielder got his inaugural domestic strike along with key pass this campaign following a tough period recovering from shoulder surgery.
Kylian Mbappe showed his clinical performance in attack, and the manager's strategy in his first derby in the dugout proved like a charm.
But then the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.
Unhappy with coming off, the star forward complained as he walked straight past his manager before stormed off the pitch, before reappearing to the bench after a short while.
Alonso System Delivers Success from Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Madrid's last eight coaches were defeated in their initial league encounter with Barcelona.
Following the laissez-faire style from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, Alonso's positional game-model delivered an important victory.
A specialist noted, His plan was perfect. Madrid were very good, while the visitors were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”
“Without the ball, they applied pressure as much as possible, if overcome, they fell back in an organised way, all players even Vinicius.”
“They defended with two banks spaced by a short distance. Barca could not find a way through.”
The tactical change looks to be good news for the midfielder, as he in the past was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the center and more.
On paper Bellingham was positioned on the right, however he could to drift inward and either link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
Balague stated, With Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings more dynamism and additional options to close down the channels.”
This led to them to position Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he would have been asked to track the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”
He was told to enter the area and position himself near just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to block central spaces and make the opponent's play challenging.”
Strained Relations Laid Bare
Undoubtedly that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant rang out multiple times by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.
Yet there have been numerous stories in recent months that the club might think about selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.
The winger will have a year left under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.
His response when substituted late in the game suggested strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.
The expert commented, Many will criticize him for good reason, since it displayed poor sportsmanship for the substitute taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived amid adversity, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
“That mentality is hard to change, notably when you believe on the verge of number one in the world, but the team drives the axis towards Mbappe as the main man.”
“This season he's felt that Real Madrid is not defending him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid €250 million for his transfer and sell him.”
This affects him, so when the coach substituted him – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in his mind he questions why single me out?’.”
It may be challenging to reconcile between the club and him at the moment.”
Their System “Struggles”
Having triumphed in all four of last season's matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Injuries have deprived Hansi Flick of important stars including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and his system isn't working when they are missing.
The expert commented, The squad seems are slightly off without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
“It's easier to attack them. When the backline is not organized, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike since the defender played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not closing down the ball-carrier as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was neutralized.
Key players did not perform well. The youngster seems not he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue