The Madrid Giants Strong but Vinicius Tensions Grow – Major El Clasico Takeaways
This proved to be nearly a flawless day from the Madrid side, as they beat Barca two goals to one during El Clasico and stretch their advantage at the summit of the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham scored his maiden domestic strike and setup this campaign after a tough period coming back from shoulder surgery.
Kylian Mbappe showed his clinical touch when scoring, while the coach's game plan in his first El Clasico on the sidelines worked brilliantly.
Yet the Brazilian's situation emerged again once more.
Dissatisfied at coming off, the star forward ranted as he walked straight past his manager and stormed off the pitch, before coming back on the sidelines later.
Alonso System Yields Positive Outcomes for the Midfielder
As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, given that the majority of Real's previous eight coaches lost their debut league meeting with Barca.
After the laissez-faire method of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach delivered an important victory.
An expert commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid performed excellently, while Barca struggled due to the home team's approach.”
“Without the ball, they pushed up as much as possible, if overcome, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody including the forward.”
Their defensive setup in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barca could not find a way through.”
The tactical change appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, as he in the past was essentially asked to carry the midfield in midfield and more.
Theoretically Bellingham started wide right, however he could to come inside and either link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
Balague continued, “By using the French midfielder in the middle, you get increased movement and better ability to block the spaces.”
This led to them to position Bellingham on the right flank. I'm sure he was instructed to monitor the forward's positioning on the ball and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.”
“He was asked to get into the box and operate on the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels creating Barcelona's life very difficult.”
Conflict Issues Laid Bare
There's no doubting that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, his chant were sung on several occasions by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
Yet recently there were various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid would consider letting him leave if the right offer was made.
He has a year left under his current terms when this term concludes, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.
His response after coming off in the second half spoke of issues. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.
The analyst said, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, since it displayed a lack of respect toward his replacement who replaced him.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you believe close to being the best player, and the organization redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he's felt that the club isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”
He is aware of this, so when Alonso subbed him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – to him he says why single me out?’.”
“It will be difficult to reconcile among the parties and the player now.”
Their System “Crumbles”
After winning each of the last season's Clasicos, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain early form.
Absences have deprived the manager of key players including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective when they are missing.
Balague commented, Barcelona appear lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. If the defensive line is not perfect, like on the first goal as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging those on the ball as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was kept largely in check.
Key players were below par. Yamal appears he is at his best, maybe due to injury issues