🔗 Share this article

It was nearly a perfect performance for the Madrid side, as they beat Barca 2-1 during El Clasico and extend their lead at the top in the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham scored his first goal in the league and key pass this term following a challenging spell healing from shoulder surgery.

Mbappe continued his clinical performance in front of goal, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural Clasico as coach proved like a charm.

However the Brazilian's situation reared its head once more.

Unhappy at being substituted, the Brazilian winger complained while walking right by his manager and headed down the tunnel, then reappearing on the sidelines several minutes.

Alonso System Gets Success from Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, considering seven of Madrid's last eight bosses were defeated in their initial La Liga meeting with Barca.

Following the laissez-faire approach of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced a significant outcome.

An expert commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side were very good, while Barcelona struggled due to Madrid's tactics.”

Defensively, they pushed up for as long as they could, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape in two layers separated by five to 10 metres. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

The new system appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, who in the past was expected to do everything in the center and beyond.

In the lineup the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, however he was allowed to drift inward and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The analyst continued, “By using Camavinga in central midfield, it brings increased movement and additional options to block the passing lanes.”

As a result them to position Jude wide right. I'm sure he would have been asked to track Mbappe's movements in possession with room, and he located him on several occasions.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and be around just outside the box, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to block central spaces and make Barca's task very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by the passionate home supporters.

Yet multiple various accounts lately that Los Blancos might think about allowing his departure if the right offer were to come in.

The winger will have one season to go on his deal come the end of the season, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

His response after coming off in the second half suggested strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he was held back when he moved toward Yamal.

The analyst commented, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship toward his replacement taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he feels that he faces opposition.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, especially when you feel on the verge of the best player, but the team shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

“This season he's felt that the club isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth 250m euros for him and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, and after the coach substituted him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in Vinicius' head he questions why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to reconcile with the club and the player now.”

Barcelona Style “Crumbles”

After winning each of the last season's Clasicos, Sunday's performance highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing early form.

Fitness issues have deprived the manager of key players such as Raphinha, the striker plus others, and the tactical setup is not effective in their absence.

The expert stated, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp without the ball, with less desire to win it back, softer to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to attack them. When the backline is flawed, as it wasn't the first goal as Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack failing to press the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

The young talent, the main threat in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.

Key players weren't at their best. The youngster appears in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues