🔗 Share this article

This proved to be practically a perfect performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated Barcelona two goals to one during El Clasico and extend the gap in first place in the domestic championship by five points.

Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with setup this campaign after a difficult few months recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward maintained his lethal touch when scoring, and Alonso's tactics in his first derby on the sidelines worked brilliantly.

However the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront once more.

Unhappy with coming off, the star forward complained while walking directly past Xabi Alonso before headed down the tunnel, then reappearing on the sidelines later.

Tactical Setup Gets Success for the Midfielder

In his first derby, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Real's previous eight bosses lost their debut La Liga encounter against their rivals.

After the laissez-faire method of Carlo Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model produced its first major result.

Spanish football analyst observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while Barcelona struggled because of the home team's approach.”

“Without the ball, they pushed up for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they fell back in a structured manner, all players even the forward.”

Their defensive setup in two lines spaced by five to 10 metres. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

This approach appears to be positive for Jude, as he previously was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the center and additional duties.

In the lineup Bellingham played on the right, but actually he could to come inside and support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The expert added, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, this provides increased movement and more ways to block the channels.”

“That forced them to deploy Jude on the right flank. Certainly his role included to keep an eye on the forward's positioning on the ball with room, and he found him a few times.”

He was told to move into the penalty area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options creating Barcelona's life tough.”

Strained Relations Exposed

It's clear that the fans love Vinicius, calls for him was chanted multiple times by the passionate Madrid fans.

Yet there have been countless reports over the past period that the club could entertain letting him leave if an attractive proposal arrived.

The winger will have one season to go on his contract come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

His response when substituted in the second half suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The analyst commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed in a challenging environment, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, particularly since you believe on the verge of number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he's felt that the organization has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept an offer worth 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”

This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, as he ceased tracking back as he should – to him he thinks why always me?.”

“It will be difficult to mend relations among the parties and him at the moment.”

Barcelona Style “Struggles”

Having triumphed in all four of recent derbies, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain beginning of the season.

Absences have robbed the Barcelona coach of important stars such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and his system is not effective without them.

The expert stated, The squad seems are slightly off defensively, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive in pressing.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. Should the defense is not organized, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike since the defender failed to step up, they receive little support from the attack not closing down those on the ball adequately.”

Yamal, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was neutralized.

The big names were below par. Yamal seems not in top condition, maybe due to a groin issue