Real Madrid Impressive yet Vinicius Junior Strains Intensify – Key Clasico Takeaways
It was practically an ideal day from Xabi Alonso's squad, who overcame Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico and stretch their advantage at the top of La Liga with a five-point cushion.
The English midfielder notched his inaugural goal in the league along with key pass of the season following a tough spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe maintained his deadly touch when scoring, and the coach's game plan during his debut El Clasico on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again another time.
Unhappy with his substitution, the star forward complained as he walked directly past his manager before marched off the pitch, before returning to the bench after a short while.
Alonso System Yields Success from Bellingham
In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Real's recent coaches were defeated in their first league encounter with their rivals.
Following the player-focused approach under Ancelotti 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 were impressive, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”
“Without the ball, they pressed high for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they retreated in a structured manner, everybody even the forward.”
“They defended with two banks spaced by 5-10 meters. The opposition were unable to break through.”
This approach appears to be good news for the midfielder, as he last season was expected to carry the midfield in the engine room and more.
On paper Bellingham played on the right, however he had the freedom to move centrally and either assist the attack or crash the penalty area.
The analyst continued, “By using Camavinga in central midfield, it brings increased movement and more ways to close down the channels.”
As a result them to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to monitor Mbappe's movements in possession and found openings, and he found him a few times.”
He was told to get into the box and position himself near just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating Barca's task tough.”
Conflict Issues Exposed
It's clear that the fans love Vinicius, his chant were sung multiple times by the passionate home supporters.
However there have been countless reports lately that the club could entertain allowing his departure should a suitable bid were to come in.
He will have one year remaining on his deal at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.
The player's reaction when substituted with 20 minutes left suggested tension. Post-game, he was held back as he tried to approach Yamal.
The expert said, He will face backlash for good reason, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement who came on for him.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he believes that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, particularly since you believe on the verge of number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the key figure.”
During this campaign he has perceived that Real Madrid has not supported him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”
This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – in his mind he thinks why always me?.”
Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge among the parties and him currently.”
Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”
Having triumphed in each of the last season's matches, this outing highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing early form.
Absences have robbed Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, the striker plus others, and the approach is not effective when they are missing.
The expert said, Barcelona appear lack sharpness without the ball, with less desire to win it back, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to break them down. If the defensive line is not organized, like on the Mbappe goal as Balde played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not closing down those on the ball as expected.”
Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was neutralized.
Key players did not perform well. The youngster doesn't feel like in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue