Los Blancos Strong but Vinicius Tensions Intensify – Major El Clasico Takeaways

The match represented almost an ideal performance for Real Madrid, as they beat their arch-rivals two goals to one in the Clasico and increase their advantage in first place in La Liga with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham scored his maiden league goal and setup this campaign after a challenging period healing from a shoulder operation.

The French forward showed his deadly performance in front of goal, and the manager's strategy in his first derby in the dugout proved brilliantly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question emerged again once more.

Unhappy at being substituted, Vinicius complained on his way directly past the coach and stormed to the dressing room, before reappearing on the sidelines several minutes.

Manager's Approach Delivers Success for the Midfielder

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Real's last eight coaches were defeated in their debut La Liga meeting with their rivals.

Following the relaxed method of Carlo Ancelotti fell short last season, Alonso's positional game-model produced an important victory.

A specialist observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid performed excellently, while the visitors struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

When not in possession, they pushed up consistently, if overcome, they fell back in a structured manner, all players even Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two lines spaced by 5-10 meters. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

This approach looks to be good news for Jude, who previously was expected to do everything in the center and more.

In the lineup the 22-year-old started wide right, however he was allowed to move centrally and assist the attack or crash the penalty area.

The analyst continued, “By using the French midfielder in the center, you get greater energy and additional options to shut down the channels.”

“That forced the team to put Jude on the right flank. Certainly he would have been asked to keep an eye on the forward's positioning on the ball and found openings, and he located him a few times.”

He was told to move into the penalty area and operate on just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also came inside to cut off passing options creating the opponent's play tough.”

Vinicius Tensions Revealed

It's clear that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, his chant was chanted multiple times by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.

Yet there have been numerous stories lately that the club would consider letting him leave if an attractive proposal arrived.

He has one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.

The player's reaction to being replaced late in the game suggested tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.

Balague noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, since it displayed poor sportsmanship for the substitute taking his place.”

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

Such thinking is difficult to shake, especially when you feel near the best player, and the organization redirects attention to Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he has perceived that Real Madrid is not defending him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open a bid of €250 million to sign him and sell him.”

This affects him, so when Alonso subbed him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – to him he says why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and him currently.”

Barcelona Style “Struggles”

After winning each of the recent Clasicos, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Absences have robbed Hansi Flick of important stars such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is failing when they are missing.

The expert commented, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer to reclaim the ball.”

They are more vulnerable to break them down. When the backline is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike since the defender failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack not challenging the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat earlier, was kept largely in check.

Key players weren't at their best. The youngster doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of injury issues