Los Blancos Strong yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Escalate – Important Spanish Derby Talking Points
This proved to be practically a flawless performance for Real Madrid, as they overcame Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico to increase their lead at the top in La Liga to five points.
Bellingham notched his first league goal and assist this campaign following a difficult few months recovering from a shoulder operation.
Mbappe maintained his lethal touch when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural derby in the dugout functioned like a charm.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head yet again.
Frustrated at being substituted, the star forward ranted on his way right by his manager before marched to the dressing room, then coming back to the bench after a short while.
Manager's Approach Gets Positive Outcomes from Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, given that the majority of Madrid's recent bosses were defeated in their first league match with their rivals.
Following the laissez-faire method from the previous coach failed to get results earlier, Alonso's positional game-model yielded its first major result.
An expert commented, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca struggled because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
When not in possession, they pushed up for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they retreated in an organised way, everybody including the forward.”
“They defended in two layers spaced by 5-10 meters. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
This approach looks to be good news for the midfielder, who previously was expected to do everything in the engine room and beyond.
In the lineup the young star played on the right, but actually he could to move centrally and support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
Balague added, Employing Camavinga in central midfield, you get greater energy and better ability to close down the spaces.”
“That forced them to put Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he would have been asked to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, and he located him repeatedly.”
He was told to get into the box and be around the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also came inside to cut off passing options creating Barca's task tough.”
Conflict Issues Exposed
Undoubtedly that the fans love Vinicius, calls for him rang out on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.
But multiple various accounts lately that the club would consider selling him should a suitable bid arrived.
The winger will have a year left on his deal come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.
The player's reaction after coming off with 20 minutes left suggested strained relations. Post-game, he was held back when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.
Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship toward his replacement who came on for him.”
However, from a young age, he has existed in a hostile world, and he believes that he faces opposition.”
Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you feel on the verge of number one in the world, then the club redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
“This season he believes that the organization isn't protecting him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept a bid of 250m euros to sign him and let him go.”
This affects him, so when the coach substituted him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in Vinicius' head he questions why always me?.”
Building bridges will be tough to mend relations with the club and Vinicius now.”
Their System “Crumbles”
After winning all four of recent matches, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing early form.
Absences have robbed the manager of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the tactical setup is not effective when they are missing.
The expert said, “It's like the whole team are slightly off without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal as Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards failing to press opponents in possession adequately.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.
Key players were below par. Yamal doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of injury issues