Los Blancos Commanding but Vinicius Junior Issues Intensify – Major Spanish Derby Highlights
It was almost a flawless performance for Real Madrid, as they beat Barcelona two goals to one during El Clasico to stretch their advantage in first place in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with setup this campaign after a difficult few months recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical touch when scoring, while the coach's game plan in his first derby as coach worked brilliantly.
Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront once more.
Frustrated with being substituted, the Brazilian winger protested while walking right by his manager before stormed to the dressing room, before coming back to the substitute area several minutes.
Alonso System Gets Success for the Midfielder
As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Madrid's recent coaches were defeated in their first La Liga encounter against their rivals.
Following the player-focused style under Ancelotti fell short earlier, Alonso's positional game-model produced an important victory.
Spanish football analyst commented, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”
Defensively, they pressed high as much as possible, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, all players including the forward.”
Their defensive setup in two layers with a gap of a short distance. The opposition were unable to break through.”
The tactical change seems beneficial for Jude, as he previously was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the center and beyond.
Theoretically Bellingham was positioned on the right, but actually he was allowed to drift inward and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
Balague stated, With Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, this provides greater energy and more ways to block the channels.”
“That forced the team to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he would have been asked to monitor the forward's positioning on the ball and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”
He was told to get into the box and be around the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels and cause Barca's task tough.”
Conflict Issues Exposed
There's no doubting that the fans adore Vinicius, his name were sung multiple times by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.
However multiple various accounts lately that Real Madrid would consider letting him leave if the right offer arrived.
The winger will have one year remaining on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal have stalled.
The player's reaction when substituted in the second half suggested strained relations. When the match ended, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.
Balague commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated a lack of respect for the substitute who came on for him.”
However, from a young age, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is hard to change, particularly since you feel close to being the top star, and the organization drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the star.”
During this campaign he's felt that Real Madrid has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they might accept if someone paid 250m euros to sign him and let him go.”
This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as he should – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to reconcile with the club and Vinicius now.”
Barca's Approach “Crumbles”
After winning all four of recent derbies, Sunday's performance represented their uncertain early form.
Absences have robbed Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the approach is not effective without them.
The expert said, The squad seems lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, softer to get the possession back.”
Opponents find it simpler to attack them. Should the defense is not organized, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal as Balde played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not challenging opponents in possession as expected.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was neutralized.
“Their stars did not perform well. Yamal doesn't feel like he is at his best, maybe due to a groin issue