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The match represented almost a flawless outing for the Madrid side, as they beat their arch-rivals 2-1 in El Clasico and stretch their lead at the top in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural league goal and assist this campaign after a challenging period recovering from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his clinical form in front of goal, while the manager's strategy in his inaugural derby in the dugout worked perfectly.

But then the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head once more.

Frustrated with coming off, the Brazilian winger complained as he walked right by his manager and headed off the pitch, before coming back to the substitute area several minutes.

Alonso System Yields Positive Outcomes for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, given that the majority of Madrid's previous eight managers lost their first La Liga encounter with Barca.

Following the laissez-faire style under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced a significant outcome.

Spanish football analyst observed, His plan was perfect. Madrid were very good, while the visitors were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in a structured manner, all players even Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two layers separated by five to 10 metres. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change appears to be beneficial for the midfielder, as he last season was expected to do everything in the engine room and beyond.

Theoretically the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but in practice he could to drift inward and link with Mbappe or enter the box.

Balague stated, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings increased movement and more ways to shut down the channels.”

This led to the team to put Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he would have been asked to track the runs of Mbappe on the ball with room, and he located him a few times.”

He was told to get into the box and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating Barca's task very difficult.”

Vinicius Tensions Exposed

There's no doubting that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him were sung on several occasions by the passionate home supporters.

Yet multiple numerous stories in recent months that the club would consider selling him if the right offer was made.

He has a year left on his deal when this term concludes, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

His response when substituted late in the game indicated issues. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The expert commented, He will face backlash and rightly so, as it demonstrated disrespect for Rodrygo who came on for him.”

“But since being a kid, he has existed in a hostile world, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you believe near the top star, but the team shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”

During this campaign he believes that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for him and let him go.”

This affects him, and when Alonso subbed him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as he should – in his mind he thinks why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to build a bridge with the club and the player at the moment.”

Barcelona Style “Struggles”

Having triumphed in each of the last season's derbies, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain start to the campaign.

Absences have left without Hansi Flick of key players including the Brazilian winger, the striker and Dani Olmo, and the approach isn't working without them.

The expert stated, The squad seems lack sharpness when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to attack them. When the backline is flawed, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not challenging the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was neutralized.

“Their stars did not perform well. The youngster doesn't feel like in top condition, possibly because of a groin issue