Real Madrid Strong yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Grow – Important El Clasico Talking Points
The match represented practically a perfect performance for Real Madrid, as they defeated Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline during the famous derby and extend the gap at the top in the Spanish league by five points.
Jude Bellingham scored his first league goal along with key pass of the season following a challenging few months coming back from surgery on his shoulder.
The French forward continued his deadly form in front of goal, and the coach's game plan in his first Clasico on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.
However the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.
Dissatisfied at being substituted, Vinicius complained while walking straight past the coach and headed down the tunnel, before coming back to the bench later.
Manager's Approach Yields Positive Outcomes for Jude Bellingham
In his first derby, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Real's recent managers were defeated in their first league match with Barcelona.
Following the relaxed approach of Carlo Ancelotti fell short earlier, the new tactical system yielded an important victory.
A specialist observed, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid performed excellently, and Barcelona struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”
“Without the ball, they pressed high for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”
“They defended in two layers with a gap of 5-10 meters. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
The new system appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, as he last season was expected to do everything in the engine room and more.
Theoretically Bellingham started wide right, but in practice he could to come inside and either link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
The analyst continued, With the French midfielder in the center, you get greater energy and better ability to block the spaces.”
As a result them to put Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he was instructed to track Mbappe's movements on the ball and had space, and he found him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and cause Barcelona's life challenging.”
Strained Relations Laid Bare
It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, his chant were sung on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.
But multiple countless reports lately that Real Madrid could entertain letting him leave if an attractive proposal was made.
He has one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.
Vinicius' behavior when substituted with 20 minutes left spoke of issues. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.
The analyst commented, “Everyone will have a go at him and justifiably, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been in a hostile world, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is hard to change, notably when you believe on the verge of the top star, but the team redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”
During this campaign he believes that the organization isn't protecting him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid €250 million to sign him and let him go.”
This affects him, and when Alonso subbed him – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.”
Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge between the club and Vinicius currently.”
Their System “Struggles”
Having triumphed in all four of recent Clasicos, the latest display was emblematic of Barca's shaky start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have robbed the Barcelona coach of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the tactical setup is failing without them.
Balague stated, The squad seems are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, softer to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. When the backline is not perfect, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was neutralized.
Key players did not perform well. Yamal doesn't feel like he's in good form, maybe due to groin problems