The Madrid Giants Commanding but Vinicius Strains Intensify – Important Spanish Derby Talking Points
The match represented nearly a perfect day for Real Madrid, who defeated Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico and extend the gap at the summit in the domestic championship to five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his first goal in the league along with key pass of the season following a difficult period coming back from surgery on his shoulder.
The French forward maintained his clinical performance when scoring, while the manager's strategy during his debut El Clasico as coach proved brilliantly.
However the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront once more.
Dissatisfied at his substitution, the Brazilian winger protested on his way right by Xabi Alonso and stormed to the dressing room, before returning to the bench several minutes.
Manager's Approach Delivers Success for Jude Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, given that the majority of Madrid's last eight bosses were defeated in their first La Liga meeting against Barca.
After the relaxed approach from the previous coach fell short last season, Alonso's positional game-model delivered an important victory.
A specialist commented, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”
“Without the ball, they pushed up for as long as they could, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, everybody even the forward.”
“They defended with two banks with a gap of a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
The new system appears to be beneficial for the midfielder, as he in the past was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.
On paper the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but actually he was allowed to move centrally and either support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
The expert stated, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings increased movement and better ability to close down the passing lanes.”
As a result the team to deploy Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to keep an eye on the forward's positioning when he had the ball with room, and he found him a few times.”
His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around just outside the box, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and cause the opponent's play tough.”
Strained Relations Exposed
It's clear that the fans love Vinicius, his name was chanted on several occasions by the passionate Madrid fans.
Yet there have been numerous stories over the past period that the club might think about selling him if the right offer were to come in.
The winger has one year remaining on his deal come the end of the season, but talks over a new deal have not progressed.
Vinicius' behavior to being replaced with 20 minutes left indicated strained relations. Post-game, he was held back when he moved toward the Barcelona player.
Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement who replaced him.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been in a hostile world, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you consider yourself near the top star, and the organization shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
Recently he believes that the club is not defending him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of 250m euros for him and sell him.”
He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – fairly, as he ceased tracking back as expected – to him he thinks why always me?.”
Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and the player now.”
Barcelona Style “Struggles”
After winning all four of previous campaign's derbies, the latest display represented Barca's shaky early form.
Absences have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and his system isn't working in their absence.
The expert stated, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to attack them. When the backline is flawed, like on the Mbappe goal since the defender played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not closing down opponents in possession as expected.”
The young talent, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was neutralized.
The big names did not perform well. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues