Real Madrid Impressive but Vinicius Issues Intensify – Important El Clasico Talking Points
The match represented practically a perfect day from Real Madrid, as they overcame their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline in El Clasico and extend their advantage at the summit in La Liga by five points.
Bellingham got his maiden league goal and assist of the season after a challenging spell recovering from shoulder surgery.
Mbappe continued his deadly touch in attack, and Alonso's tactics in his inaugural El Clasico on the sidelines functioned like a charm.
Yet the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront yet again.
Dissatisfied at coming off, Vinicius complained as he walked directly past Xabi Alonso before headed off the pitch, before reappearing to the bench later.
Tactical Setup Yields Success for the Midfielder
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Madrid's previous eight coaches lost their debut league encounter with Barcelona.
After the laissez-faire approach of Carlo Ancelotti fell short earlier, Alonso's positional game-model produced its first major result.
An expert noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were very good, and Barcelona struggled because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
Defensively, they applied pressure as much as possible, if overcome, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody including the forward.”
“They defended in two layers with a gap of 5-10 meters. Barcelona could not find a way through.”
The new system seems positive for Jude, as he previously had been tasked to carry the midfield in the engine room and beyond.
On paper Bellingham played on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to come inside and assist the attack or crash the penalty area.
The analyst stated, Employing Camavinga in central midfield, you get greater energy and more ways to close down the spaces.”
This led to them to position Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he was instructed to keep an eye on the forward's positioning in possession with room, connecting with him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to move into the penalty area and operate on the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to close the inside channels creating the opponent's play tough.”
Conflict Issues Revealed
There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, calls for him were sung repeatedly by a fervent home supporters.
But there have been numerous stories over the past period that Los Blancos would consider selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.
Vinicius will have one season to go under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.
The player's reaction to being replaced in the second half spoke of issues. When the match ended, he was held back when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.
Balague commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, since it displayed disrespect for the substitute who came on for him.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been in a hostile world, and he feels that he faces opposition.”
“That mentality is tough to overcome, notably when you believe close to being the best player, and the organization drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he's felt that the organization is not defending him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
“He feels all that, so when the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.”
Building bridges will be tough to reconcile between the club and Vinicius currently.”
Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”
After winning all four of last season's Clasicos, this outing represented Barca's shaky early form.
Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of important stars such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach is not effective without them.
The expert stated, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. When the backline is not organized, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike as Balde kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack not closing down opponents in possession as expected.”
The young talent, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was neutralized.
“Their stars weren't at their best. Yamal seems not he is at his best, maybe due to groin problems