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It was almost a flawless day for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they defeated Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico to extend their advantage at the summit in the domestic championship to five points.

Bellingham got his first goal in the league along with assist of the season following a difficult spell healing from shoulder surgery.

Mbappe maintained his lethal form in front of goal, while the manager's strategy in his first Clasico in the dugout worked brilliantly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again yet again.

Dissatisfied with being substituted, the Brazilian winger complained on his way straight past his manager and headed to the dressing room, before reappearing on the sidelines after a short while.

Tactical Setup Yields Results for the Midfielder

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Madrid's recent bosses were defeated in their first La Liga match with their rivals.

After the laissez-faire approach under Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system delivered an important victory.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they pushed up for as long as they could, if overcome, they tracked back with discipline, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape in two lines separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”

This approach appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, who in the past had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the center and beyond.

On paper Bellingham started wide right, but in practice he could to move centrally and assist the attack or crash the penalty area.

Balague added, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, this provides more dynamism and better ability to close down the spaces.”

This led to them to put Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe on the ball and found openings, connecting with him a few times.”

He was told to get into the box and operate on the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also came inside to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life very difficult.”

Strained Relations Exposed

It's clear that the fans adore Vinicius, calls for him rang out on several occasions by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

However multiple numerous stories in recent months that the club would consider allowing his departure should a suitable bid were to come in.

He will have one year remaining under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled.

His response after coming off in the second half indicated issues. Post-game, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.

The analyst commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship toward his replacement taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is tough to overcome, notably when you consider yourself close to being number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus to Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he believes that the organization is not defending him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and let him go.”

He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as expected – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to build a bridge between the club and the player currently.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

After winning all four of last season's derbies, the latest display highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Injuries have left without Hansi Flick of important stars such as the Brazilian winger, the striker and Olmo, and the approach is failing when they are missing.

Balague commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

“It's easier to attack them. When the backline is not organized, like on the first goal since the defender played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack not challenging opponents in possession as well as they should.”

The young talent, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was well contained.

Key players did not perform well. Yamal appears he is at his best, possibly because of injury issues