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It was practically a flawless performance for the Madrid side, as they overcame Barcelona 2-1 in the famous derby to stretch their advantage at the top of La Liga by five points.

Jude Bellingham got his first domestic strike and key pass this term following a tough period healing from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe maintained his lethal touch in front of goal, while the manager's strategy in his first derby as coach worked perfectly.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.

Dissatisfied at his substitution, Vinicius complained as he walked directly past his manager before headed off the pitch, before coming back to the substitute area later.

Alonso System Gets Results for the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Real's recent managers were defeated in their first La Liga match with Barca.

After the laissez-faire style from the previous coach fell short in the previous campaign, the new tactical system produced its first major result.

A specialist noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while Barca didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, if overcome, they fell back in a structured manner, everybody even Vinicius.”

The team's shape with two banks with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barca were unable to break through.”

The tactical change appears to be positive for Bellingham, who last season had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.

Theoretically the 22-year-old started wide right, however he could to move centrally and either support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The expert added, “By using Eduardo Camavinga in the center, this provides more dynamism and more ways to block the channels.”

This led to the team to position Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to monitor the runs of Mbappe in possession and found openings, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to enter the area and operate on just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels creating Barcelona's life challenging.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

Undoubtedly that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him rang out repeatedly by a fervent Madrid fans.

Yet recently there were numerous stories lately that the club might think about selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.

Vinicius will have one season to go under his current terms come the end of the season, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

His response to being replaced late in the game indicated tension. Post-game, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.

Balague noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, since it displayed disrespect for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, particularly since you feel on the verge of number one in the world, and the organization shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he believes that Real Madrid is not defending him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they might accept a bid of a quarter-billion euros to sign him and sell him.”

He is aware of this, so when he was taken off – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to reconcile among the parties and Vinicius at the moment.”

Their System “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in each of the recent matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of their uncertain beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of important stars such as Raphinha, the striker and Dani Olmo, and the tactical setup isn't working when they are missing.

The analyst commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off defensively, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike since the defender kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack not closing down the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.

Key players did not perform well. Yamal doesn't feel like he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues