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The match represented practically a perfect performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one during El Clasico and stretch the gap at the top of La Liga to five points.

Bellingham got his first domestic strike along with key pass of the season after a difficult period coming back from shoulder surgery.

The French forward continued his deadly form in attack, while the coach's game plan in his inaugural Clasico in the dugout proved brilliantly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.

Unhappy with being substituted, Vinicius protested on his way straight past Xabi Alonso before stormed down the tunnel, before returning to the substitute area later.

Manager's Approach Delivers Success from Bellingham

In his first derby, it was a solid start, given that seven of Real's recent coaches were defeated in their first La Liga encounter against Barcelona.

Following the laissez-faire approach under Ancelotti fell short last season, the new tactical system produced an important victory.

An expert commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side were very good, and Barcelona didn't play well due to Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they pressed high as much as possible, and when bypassed, they retreated with discipline, all players including the forward.”

The team's shape in two lines separated by 5-10 meters. Barca could not find a way through.”

The new system seems positive for Jude, who in the past was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the engine room and beyond.

On paper Bellingham played on the right, but actually he was allowed to drift inward and either link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The analyst added, With the French midfielder in the middle, it brings more dynamism and additional options to shut down the channels.”

As a result them to deploy Jude on the right flank. Certainly he would have been asked to track the forward's positioning in possession with room, connecting with him on several occasions.”

He was told to enter the area and operate on the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also came inside to block central spaces and cause the opponent's play very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant rang out repeatedly by the passionate Madrid fans.

But multiple numerous stories lately that Real Madrid would consider allowing his departure should a suitable bid arrived.

He has one season to go under his current terms come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

The player's reaction after coming off late in the game suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, he was held back when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

Balague noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he feels that the world is hostile.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, particularly since you feel on the verge of the best player, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he believes that the organization has not supported him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”

He is aware of this, and after the coach substituted him – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in his mind he questions why single me out?’.”

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

Their System “Falls Apart”

After winning each of the previous campaign's Clasicos, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.

Absences have robbed the manager of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and his system is not effective in their absence.

Balague said, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. When the backline is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not challenging opponents in possession as well as they should.”

Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

Key players weren't at their best. The youngster appears he's in good form, maybe due to injury issues