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It was nearly a perfect outing from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat their arch-rivals two goals to one during El Clasico and extend the gap at the top of the Spanish league to five points.

The English midfielder notched his first domestic strike and assist this campaign after a tough spell coming back from a shoulder operation.

Mbappe continued his lethal touch in attack, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural El Clasico on the sidelines worked brilliantly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head another time.

Frustrated at coming off, the Brazilian winger ranted while walking straight past the coach and stormed down the tunnel, before returning on the sidelines after a short while.

Manager's Approach Gets Results for Bellingham

In his first derby, it was a solid start, given that seven of Real's recent bosses lost their initial La Liga meeting against their rivals.

Following the laissez-faire method under Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system produced its first major result.

A specialist noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid performed excellently, and Barcelona didn't play well because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in an organised way, all players including the forward.”

Their defensive setup with two banks separated by 5-10 meters. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

This approach seems good news for the midfielder, who in the past was expected to cover multiple roles in midfield and more.

Theoretically the young star started wide right, however he had the freedom to move centrally and either support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The analyst stated, “By using Eduardo Camavinga in the center, this provides increased movement and more ways to block the spaces.”

As a result them to put Jude on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe in possession and had space, and he found him repeatedly.”

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

Strained Relations Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans adore Vinicius, calls for him were sung on several occasions by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

But there have been various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid would consider letting him leave if the right offer were to come in.

He will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

Vinicius' behavior when substituted late in the game suggested strained relations. When the match ended, he had to be restrained when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

Balague commented, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, because it showed disrespect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived amid adversity, and he believes that the world is hostile.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, especially when you believe on the verge of number one in the world, and the organization drives the axis to Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he believes that the club isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they might accept a bid of 250m euros for his transfer and sell him.”

He is aware of this, so when he was taken off – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and him at the moment.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

After winning all four of recent matches, this outing was emblematic of Barca's shaky early form.

Injuries have deprived the manager of important stars such as the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach is failing in their absence.

Balague commented, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. When the backline is not organized, like on the Mbappe goal as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack not closing down those on the ball adequately.”

The young talent, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was neutralized.

Key players did not perform well. The youngster appears he is at his best, maybe due to groin problems