Los Blancos Impressive however Vinicius Issues Escalate – Important El Clasico Talking Points
This proved to be nearly a flawless day for Real Madrid, as they beat Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline in the Clasico to increase their lead at the top in the Spanish league to five points.
Bellingham notched his inaugural goal in the league along with key pass of the season after a tough few months coming back from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe showed his deadly touch in attack, while the coach's game plan in his first derby in the dugout proved brilliantly.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question emerged again another time.
Dissatisfied with coming off, the star forward ranted while walking directly past Xabi Alonso before stormed to the dressing room, before coming back to the substitute area several minutes.
Alonso System Delivers Results for Bellingham
In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, especially since the majority of Real's last eight managers lost their first La Liga meeting against Barca.
Following the laissez-faire approach under Ancelotti failed to get results earlier, Alonso's positional game-model delivered a significant outcome.
Spanish football analyst observed, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, and Barcelona were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”
“Without the ball, they applied pressure as much as possible, and when bypassed, they fell back with discipline, everybody including Vinicius.”
“They defended with two banks spaced by 5-10 meters. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
This approach appears to be good news for the midfielder, as he last season had been tasked to do everything in the center and more.
Theoretically the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, however he was allowed to come inside and link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
Balague continued, Employing Camavinga in the center, it brings greater energy and more ways to shut down the passing lanes.”
“That forced them to position Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly his role included to monitor the runs of Mbappe in possession and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.”
He was told to enter the area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to close the inside channels creating Barca's task very difficult.”
Strained Relations Exposed
It's clear that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by the passionate Madrid fans.
But there have been various accounts lately that the club would consider selling him should a suitable bid arrived.
He has one season to go under his current terms when this term concludes, yet negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
His response after coming off with 20 minutes left suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.
The expert noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”
“But since being a kid, he has lived amid adversity, and perceives that he faces opposition.”
“That mentality is hard to change, especially when you consider yourself near number one in the world, and the organization shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
“This season he's felt that Real Madrid has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid 250m euros to sign him and sell him.”
This affects him, so when the coach substituted him – fairly, as he ceased tracking back as expected – to him he thinks why always me?.”
Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and Vinicius now.”
Barcelona Style “Struggles”
Following victories in each of the recent derbies, this outing highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing early form.
Injuries have deprived the manager of crucial contributors such as the Brazilian winger, the striker and Olmo, and his system is not effective without them.
The expert said, The squad seems lack sharpness without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, softer to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. When the backline is not organized, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards failing to press opponents in possession adequately.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was kept largely in check.
The big names did not perform well. Yamal seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems