Los Blancos Commanding but Vinicius Junior Strains Grow – Major Spanish Derby Highlights
This proved to be practically an ideal outing for Real Madrid, as they defeated Barca 2-1 in the famous derby and stretch the gap in first place in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
Bellingham notched his maiden goal in the league and setup of the season after a challenging period healing from shoulder surgery.
Mbappe maintained his lethal form when scoring, and Alonso's tactics during his debut El Clasico as coach worked brilliantly.
But then the Vinicius Junior question emerged again once more.
Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger complained while walking straight past the coach before stormed to the dressing room, then reappearing to the substitute area several minutes.
Tactical Setup Yields Results for Jude Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, considering the majority of Madrid's previous eight coaches were defeated in their first La Liga match with Barcelona.
After the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver last season, the new tactical system produced an important victory.
A specialist observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were impressive, and the visitors struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”
Defensively, they applied pressure as much as possible, and when bypassed, they retreated in an organised way, all players even Vinicius.”
Their defensive setup with two banks spaced by 5-10 meters. The opposition could not find a way through.”
The tactical change appears to be beneficial for the midfielder, who last season was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in midfield and beyond.
On paper the young star played on the right, however he had the freedom to move centrally and either support Mbappe or enter the box.
The analyst added, “By using the French midfielder in the center, you get more dynamism and better ability to shut down the channels.”
“That forced the team to position Bellingham on the right flank. I'm sure he was instructed to track the forward's positioning on the ball and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to get into the box and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels creating the opponent's play very difficult.”
Conflict Issues Exposed
There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his name were sung multiple times by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.
Yet there have been countless reports in recent months that the club would consider letting him leave if the right offer was made.
The winger will have a year left under his current terms come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
The player's reaction after coming off in the second half spoke of issues. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Yamal.
The expert said, He will face backlash and rightly so, since it displayed poor sportsmanship toward his replacement taking his place.”
“But since being a kid, he has existed in a challenging environment, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
“That mentality is tough to overcome, especially when you consider yourself close to being number one in the world, but the team shifts the focus to Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he believes that the organization isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”
“He feels all that, and after the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as required – in his mind he thinks why always me?.”
“It will be difficult to reconcile among the parties and him currently.”
Their System “Struggles”
After winning each of the recent Clasicos, Sunday's performance highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing early form.
Injuries have left without the manager of key players including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is failing in their absence.
Balague commented, The squad seems are slightly off when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to break them down. When the backline is not organized, which was the case Mbappe's strike as Balde kept him onside, they receive little support by teammates not closing down opponents in possession as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.
Key players did not perform well. The youngster seems not he's in good form, possibly because of a groin issue