🔗 Share this article

This proved to be practically a flawless day from the Madrid side, as they overcame Barcelona two goals to one during the Clasico and extend their advantage in first place in the Spanish league by five points.

Jude Bellingham scored his maiden domestic strike along with assist this campaign after a tough period healing from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward maintained his lethal performance when scoring, and the manager's strategy in his inaugural El Clasico in the dugout functioned like a charm.

However the Vinicius Junior question emerged again another time.

Frustrated at being substituted, the star forward protested while walking directly past the coach and stormed down the tunnel, before reappearing to the substitute area later.

Tactical Setup Delivers Success from the Midfielder

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, especially since seven of Real's last eight bosses lost their initial league meeting against Barcelona.

After the relaxed approach of Carlo Ancelotti fell short last season, his structured approach yielded its first major result.

Spanish football analyst commented, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, and Barca struggled because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they pushed up consistently, and when bypassed, they retreated with discipline, everybody even Vinicius.”

“They defended with two banks spaced by a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

The new system appears to be positive for the midfielder, who in the past was expected to cover multiple roles in midfield and beyond.

Theoretically the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he could to move centrally and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The analyst continued, Employing Camavinga in the middle, it brings more dynamism and more ways to block the channels.”

This led to them to position Bellingham on the right flank. I'm sure he was instructed to track the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball with room, and he located him on several occasions.”

His instructions included 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 Revealed

There's no doubting that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his name were sung on several occasions by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.

Yet recently there were various accounts in recent months that the club would consider selling him if the right offer were to come in.

Vinicius will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, but talks over a new deal have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior when substituted with 20 minutes left spoke of issues. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

Balague commented, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, because it showed a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, his life has been amid adversity, and perceives that the world is hostile.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, particularly since you believe near the best player, but the team drives the axis towards Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he's felt that the organization is not defending him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid 250m euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, so when he was taken off – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in his mind he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile between the club and him at the moment.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

After winning all four of previous campaign's derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing early form.

Injuries have deprived Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach isn't working in their absence.

The expert stated, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, softer to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. When the backline is flawed, which was the case Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards failing to press opponents in possession adequately.”

Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

The big names were below par. Yamal seems not in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems