🔗 Share this article

The match represented nearly a perfect outing for Real Madrid, as they defeated Barca two goals to one in the famous derby and stretch the gap at the top of the domestic championship by five points.

Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with assist this campaign after a challenging period recovering from shoulder surgery.

Mbappe continued his clinical touch in attack, and the coach's game plan during his debut derby on the sidelines proved perfectly.

But then the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again yet again.

Frustrated at his substitution, the star forward ranted as he walked directly past Xabi Alonso before stormed to the dressing room, before coming back to the substitute area later.

Tactical Setup Yields Positive Outcomes for the Midfielder

In his first derby, Alonso did well, considering seven of Madrid's previous eight bosses lost their debut league encounter with their rivals.

After the player-focused method from the previous coach fell short in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered a significant outcome.

Spanish football analyst noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, and Barcelona were off-color due to the home team's approach.”

“Without the ball, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated with discipline, all players even Vinicius.”

“They defended in two layers with a gap of five to 10 metres. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”

The new system seems beneficial for Jude, as he last season was expected to carry the midfield in the center and additional duties.

In the lineup the 22-year-old played on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to move centrally and assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

Balague added, “By using Camavinga in the middle, this provides more dynamism and additional options to shut down the passing lanes.”

As a result the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to monitor the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, and he located him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to get into the box and position himself near the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to block central spaces and cause Barcelona's life tough.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

It's clear that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his name were sung repeatedly by an enthusiastic home supporters.

But there have been countless reports lately that Real Madrid might think about letting him leave if an attractive proposal were to come in.

The winger will have one season to go under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal have not progressed.

His response after coming off in the second half suggested strained relations. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

Balague said, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and perceives that he faces opposition.”

“That mentality is hard to change, notably when you consider yourself close to being the top star, and the organization shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he believes that the club isn't protecting him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for him and sell him.”

This affects him, and after he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as expected – in his mind he says why always me?.”

It may be challenging to mend relations among the parties and him now.”

Barcelona Style “Crumbles”

Following victories in all four of previous campaign's derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have deprived the Barcelona coach of important stars such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system isn't working in their absence.

The expert said, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp without the ball, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to attack them. Should the defense is not perfect, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike since the defender played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not closing down the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

The young talent, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

The big names weren't at their best. The youngster seems not in top condition, maybe due to a groin issue