Real Madrid Commanding but Vinicius Tensions Grow – Key El Clasico Takeaways
It was practically a perfect outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they overcame Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico and increase their advantage in first place of the domestic championship by five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his inaugural league goal along with setup this campaign after a challenging spell coming back from shoulder surgery.
Mbappe maintained his clinical performance in front of goal, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural El Clasico as coach functioned perfectly.
Yet the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront yet again.
Unhappy at his substitution, the star forward complained while walking directly past Xabi Alonso before stormed off the pitch, before coming back to the bench several minutes.
Alonso System Yields Success for the Midfielder
For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Real's recent bosses lost their initial league encounter with their rivals.
After the relaxed approach of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system delivered its first major result.
An expert commented, “He got it spot on. Madrid performed excellently, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”
When not in possession, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody even Vinicius.”
“They defended in two layers separated by 5-10 meters. The opposition could not find a way through.”
The tactical change appears to be good news for Jude, who in the past had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the center and additional duties.
In the lineup Bellingham played on the right, but actually he had the freedom to drift inward and either assist the attack or crash the penalty area.
The expert continued, With the French midfielder in the center, this provides greater energy and better ability to shut down the spaces.”
This led to them to put Jude wide right. Certainly he would have been asked to monitor the runs of Mbappe in possession with room, connecting with him on several occasions.”
He was told to enter the area and be around the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating Barca's task challenging.”
Vinicius Tensions Exposed
It's clear that Madridistas love Vinicius, his name was chanted multiple times by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.
Yet there have been various accounts lately that the club could entertain allowing his departure if the right offer was made.
Vinicius has one year remaining under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet discussions on a renewal have not progressed.
Vinicius' behavior when substituted with 20 minutes left spoke of strained relations. When the match ended, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Yamal.
The expert noted, He will face backlash and justifiably, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship for the substitute taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you believe close to being the top star, but the team redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.”
Recently he has perceived that the club has not supported him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they might accept if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”
“He feels all that, so when the coach substituted him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in his mind he thinks why always me?.”
It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and Vinicius at the moment.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Having triumphed in all four of recent matches, the latest display highlighted their uncertain beginning of the season.
Absences have left without the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, the striker plus others, and the approach is not effective without them.
Balague said, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. If the defensive line is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they are not helped by teammates not challenging those on the ball as expected.”
Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was kept largely in check.
Key players were below par. Lamine appears in top condition, possibly because of injury issues