The Madrid Giants Commanding yet Vinicius Junior Strains Intensify – Major El Clasico Highlights
This proved to be practically a perfect day from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one during the famous derby and increase their lead at the summit in the Spanish league by five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his first league goal along with assist of the season after a difficult spell coming back from a shoulder operation.
Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical performance when scoring, and the manager's strategy during his debut Clasico on the sidelines functioned perfectly.
But then the Brazilian's situation reared its head yet again.
Frustrated at his substitution, Vinicius protested on his way right by the coach before headed off the pitch, before returning to the bench later.
Manager's Approach Delivers Positive Outcomes from Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, given that seven of Real's previous eight bosses lost their first La Liga meeting with Barcelona.
After the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, the new tactical system delivered an important victory.
A specialist observed, His plan was perfect. The home side performed excellently, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”
When not in possession, they pushed up as much as possible, if overcome, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even the forward.”
The team's shape in two lines with a gap of 5-10 meters. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”
This approach seems good news for the midfielder, who last season had been tasked to carry the midfield in the center and additional duties.
On paper the young star started wide right, but in practice he had the freedom to drift inward and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
The expert continued, “By using the French midfielder in the center, you get increased movement and better ability to close down the spaces.”
“That forced them to deploy Jude wide right. Certainly he would have been asked to track the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, and he located him a few times.”
He was told to enter the area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to close the inside channels and make Barcelona's life very difficult.”
Conflict Issues Exposed
There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by an enthusiastic home supporters.
Yet multiple various accounts lately that Los Blancos could entertain allowing his departure if the right offer arrived.
The winger has one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.
The player's reaction after coming off with 20 minutes left suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.
The expert noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated a lack of respect for the substitute who came on for him.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been in a challenging environment, and perceives that he faces opposition.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, particularly since you feel near the top star, but the team redirects attention towards Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he believes that the club is not defending him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they might accept a bid of 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”
This affects him, and after he was taken off – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in his mind he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”
It may be challenging to reconcile with the club and the player now.”
Barcelona Style “Crumbles”
Following victories in all four of recent derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barca's shaky start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have deprived the Barcelona coach of important stars including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup isn't working in their absence.
Balague commented, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, softer to get the possession back.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. When the backline is not perfect, which was the case the first goal since the defender failed to step up, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was well contained.
The big names were below par. Yamal appears he is at his best, maybe due to groin problems