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The match represented practically a perfect day for Real Madrid, as they defeated their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline during El Clasico to increase their advantage in first place in the Spanish league by five points.

Jude Bellingham got his maiden league goal and assist this term following a difficult few months healing from a shoulder operation.

Mbappe showed his deadly performance in front of goal, while the coach's game plan during his debut El Clasico as coach functioned brilliantly.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront another time.

Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger ranted while walking right by the coach before stormed off the pitch, then reappearing on the sidelines several minutes.

Tactical Setup Yields Success for the Midfielder

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Real's recent bosses were defeated in their debut La Liga match with Barca.

Following the player-focused style from the previous coach failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded its first major result.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid were very good, and the visitors were off-color due to the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they applied pressure consistently, and if they were beaten, they fell back in a structured manner, all players including the forward.”

The team's shape in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barca could not find a way through.”

The tactical change appears to be good news for Bellingham, as he in the past was expected to do everything in the engine room and more.

In the lineup the young star was positioned on the right, but in practice he was allowed to drift inward and either assist the attack or enter the box.

Balague added, Employing the French midfielder in central midfield, you get more dynamism and more ways to shut down the passing lanes.”

“That forced the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to track the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, connecting with him a few times.”

His instructions included to enter the area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

Undoubtedly that supporters love Vinicius, his chant rang out repeatedly by an enthusiastic home supporters.

Yet multiple numerous stories lately that the club would consider allowing his departure if an attractive proposal were to come in.

Vinicius has one year remaining on his contract at the end of the campaign, but talks over a new deal have stalled.

His response when substituted late in the game indicated tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The analyst said, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement who came on for him.”

However, from a young age, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he believes that the world is hostile.”

“That mentality is difficult to shake, 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.”

During this campaign he's felt that the organization has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of 250m euros to sign him and sell him.”

This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – to him he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and Vinicius at the moment.”

Their System “Struggles”

Having triumphed in each of the last season's Clasicos, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barca's shaky beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of important stars including the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is failing without them.

Balague stated, Barcelona appear lack sharpness when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. If the defensive line is not perfect, like on the first goal since the defender failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not closing down opponents in possession as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was neutralized.

The big names did not perform well. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, maybe due to injury issues