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This proved to be practically a perfect outing for Real Madrid, as they beat their arch-rivals 2-1 in the famous derby to increase the gap in first place in the Spanish league by five points.

Jude Bellingham scored his maiden goal in the league and key pass of the season after a challenging period coming back from a shoulder operation.

Mbappe maintained his lethal performance in front of goal, while the coach's game plan in his first Clasico on the sidelines worked perfectly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head once more.

Unhappy at coming off, Vinicius complained while walking straight past his manager and headed off the pitch, then returning to the substitute area later.

Alonso System Yields Success for the Midfielder

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, especially since seven of Madrid's recent coaches were defeated in their initial league encounter against Barca.

After the laissez-faire style from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, Alonso's positional game-model delivered its first major result.

A specialist noted, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, and Barca didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

When not in possession, they pushed up as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they fell back with discipline, everybody including the forward.”

Their defensive setup in two layers separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

This approach looks to be good news for Bellingham, as he last season was expected to carry the midfield in midfield and beyond.

Theoretically the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and assist the attack or enter the box.

The analyst added, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, this provides more dynamism and more ways to close down the channels.”

This led to the team to put Bellingham wide right. I'm sure his role included to monitor Mbappe's movements when he had the ball with room, connecting with him on several occasions.”

“He was asked to get into the box and be around the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and cause Barcelona's life tough.”

Vinicius Tensions Revealed

There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, calls for him were sung repeatedly by an enthusiastic home supporters.

But there have been countless reports over the past period that Los Blancos would consider letting him leave should a suitable bid were to come in.

He has a year left under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

His response to being replaced late in the game suggested strained relations. Post-game, teammates intervened when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The expert noted, He will face backlash and justifiably, since it displayed disrespect for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, he has existed in a challenging environment, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is tough to overcome, especially when you believe on the verge of the top star, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he's felt that Real Madrid has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open a bid of €250 million for him and let him go.”

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

It may be challenging to mend relations with the club and him now.”

Barcelona Style “Struggles”

Following victories in each of the last season's derbies, this outing highlighted their uncertain beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have left without the Barcelona coach of important stars such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the approach is not effective in their absence.

The expert commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. Should the defense is not organized, like on the first goal since the defender kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

The young talent, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

“Their stars weren't at their best. Yamal seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue