Los Blancos Commanding but Vinicius Junior Tensions Escalate – Major Spanish Derby Highlights
This proved to be nearly an ideal performance for Real Madrid, as they beat their arch-rivals 2-1 in El Clasico and stretch their advantage at the top of the domestic championship by five points.
Bellingham scored his maiden goal in the league along with key pass of the season after a challenging spell coming back from a shoulder operation.
Mbappe showed his deadly form when scoring, while Alonso's tactics during his debut Clasico in the dugout functioned perfectly.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head another time.
Unhappy at being substituted, Vinicius protested while walking directly past his manager and marched to the dressing room, before returning to the substitute area several minutes.
Tactical Setup Gets Success for the Midfielder
In his first derby, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Madrid's last eight coaches were defeated in their first La Liga encounter with their rivals.
After the laissez-faire style under Ancelotti fell short last season, his structured approach yielded an important victory.
An expert commented, His plan was perfect. Madrid were impressive, and Barcelona were off-color due to the home team's approach.”
Defensively, they applied pressure for as long as they could, if overcome, they tracked back with discipline, everybody even Vinicius.”
“They defended in two lines separated by a short distance. The opposition were unable to break through.”
The new system looks to be beneficial for Bellingham, as he in the past was expected to do everything in midfield and additional duties.
In the lineup the young star started wide right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and support Mbappe or enter the box.
The expert stated, Employing the French midfielder in the middle, it brings increased movement and more ways to block the passing lanes.”
“That forced the team to put Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly he was instructed to track the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball with room, and he found him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces creating the opponent's play tough.”
Conflict Issues Laid Bare
There's no doubting that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him rang out on several occasions by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
However recently there were various accounts over the past period that the club might think about letting him leave should a suitable bid were to come in.
The winger will have one year remaining on his deal when this term concludes, yet talks over a new deal are at a standstill.
His response after coming off with 20 minutes left indicated issues. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.
Balague commented, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement who replaced him.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
“That mentality is hard to change, particularly since you feel on the verge of the best player, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”
“This season he has perceived that the organization isn't protecting him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they might accept a bid of 250m euros to sign him and let him go.”
“He feels all that, and after he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in Vinicius' head he questions why always me?.”
It may be challenging to mend relations with the club and the player at the moment.”
Barcelona Style “Crumbles”
After winning each of the recent Clasicos, this outing represented their uncertain beginning of the season.
Injuries have robbed the Barcelona coach of key players including the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach is failing without them.
Balague said, “It's like the whole team are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. When the backline is not perfect, like on the Mbappe goal as Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack failing to press those on the ball adequately.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was neutralized.
“Their stars were below par. Yamal doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of injury issues