Real Madrid Strong yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Intensify – Major El Clasico Talking Points
It was nearly an ideal performance from Real Madrid, who beat Barca two goals to one during El Clasico and extend their lead in first place of the domestic championship to five points.
Jude Bellingham scored his first goal in the league along with key pass of the season after a difficult spell recovering from a shoulder operation.
Kylian Mbappe continued his lethal performance when scoring, while the manager's strategy during his debut El Clasico in the dugout worked like a charm.
However the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront once more.
Unhappy with his substitution, Vinicius ranted on his way directly past the coach before marched to the dressing room, then coming back on the sidelines later.
Tactical Setup Delivers Positive Outcomes for the Midfielder
As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, given that seven of Real's previous eight bosses were defeated in their debut La Liga match against Barca.
After the laissez-faire style under Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, the new tactical system yielded its first major result.
An expert observed, His plan was perfect. The home side were impressive, and Barca were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”
Defensively, they pushed up for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they fell back in a structured manner, all players including Vinicius.”
“They defended in two lines with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barca were unable to break through.”
The tactical change looks to be beneficial for the midfielder, as he in the past had been tasked to carry the midfield in the center and beyond.
On paper the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but in practice he could to come inside and link with Mbappe or enter the box.
The expert continued, Employing the French midfielder in the center, you get more dynamism and more ways to close down the passing lanes.”
This led to the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he would have been asked to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements on the ball with room, connecting with him repeatedly.”
“He was asked to get into the box and operate on the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels and make Barcelona's life very difficult.”
Conflict Issues Laid Bare
There's no doubting that supporters adore Vinicius, calls for him rang out on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.
Yet there have been numerous stories lately that Real Madrid would consider selling him if the right offer arrived.
He will have one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.
His response to being replaced with 20 minutes left indicated strained relations. When the match ended, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.
Balague noted, Many will criticize him for good reason, because it showed poor sportsmanship for the substitute taking his place.”
However, from a young age, his life has been in a hostile world, and he believes that he faces opposition.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, particularly since you feel near the top star, then the club drives the axis towards Mbappe as the key figure.”
During this campaign he has perceived that the club isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of €250 million to sign him and let him go.”
This affects him, and after he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in Vinicius' head he says why always me?.”
Building bridges will be tough to reconcile with the club and the player now.”
Their System “Struggles”
Having triumphed in all four of previous campaign's Clasicos, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barca's shaky beginning of the season.
Fitness issues have robbed the manager of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach isn't working when they are missing.
Balague stated, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. If the defensive line is not organized, which was the case the first goal since the defender played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates failing to press those on the ball as expected.”
The young talent, the main threat of Real last season, was neutralized.
The big names did not perform well. Yamal seems not he's in good form, possibly because of a groin issue