Los Blancos Strong but Vinicius Junior Tensions Grow – Major El Clasico Talking Points
The match represented almost a flawless performance for the Madrid side, as they beat their arch-rivals 2-1 in the Clasico and increase their advantage at the summit in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
The English midfielder notched his maiden goal in the league and assist of the season after a tough spell healing from a shoulder operation.
The French forward showed his clinical form in front of goal, while Alonso's tactics in his first Clasico in the dugout worked like a charm.
However the Brazilian's situation reared its head another time.
Unhappy with his substitution, Vinicius complained as he walked directly past his manager and headed off the pitch, before returning to the substitute area several minutes.
Tactical Setup Delivers Success from Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, given that the majority of Real's previous eight managers were defeated in their initial league match with their rivals.
Following the player-focused approach from the previous coach did not deliver in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered a significant outcome.
Spanish football analyst observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while Barca were off-color because of the home team's approach.”
“Without the ball, they pushed up consistently, if overcome, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody including the forward.”
“They defended with two banks with a gap of a short distance. Barcelona were unable to break through.”
The tactical change looks to be good news for Jude, as he in the past was essentially asked to do everything in the engine room and beyond.
On paper Bellingham was positioned on the right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and either support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
Balague stated, “By using Camavinga in central midfield, you get increased movement and more ways to close down the spaces.”
As a result the team to deploy Bellingham on the right flank. I'm sure his role included to track the forward's positioning in possession and had space, and he found him repeatedly.”
He was told to enter the area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options creating the opponent's play tough.”
Conflict Issues Laid Bare
Undoubtedly that supporters adore Vinicius, calls for him rang out on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.
However there have been various accounts in recent months that Los Blancos could entertain letting him leave if an attractive proposal were to come in.
He has a year left on his deal come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.
His response after coming off late in the game suggested issues. Post-game, teammates intervened when he moved toward Yamal.
The expert commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated a lack of respect for the substitute who replaced him.”
However, from a young age, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
This mindset is tough to overcome, especially when you feel on the verge of the top star, then the club redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
Recently he's felt that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they might accept if someone paid 250m euros to sign him and sell him.”
This affects him, and after he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as expected – to him he questions why single me out?’.”
It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and Vinicius at the moment.”
Barca's Approach “Struggles”
After winning all four of last season's Clasicos, this outing highlighted Barca's shaky early form.
Fitness issues have robbed the manager of crucial contributors such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup isn't working without them.
Balague said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness defensively, with less desire to win it back, softer to reclaim the ball.”
They are more vulnerable to break them down. If the defensive line is not organized, which was the case the first goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press opponents in possession as expected.”
Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was well contained.
“Their stars were below par. Lamine appears he's in good form, maybe due to injury issues