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This proved to be almost an ideal outing for Real Madrid, who overcame Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico and extend their advantage at the summit in the Spanish league to five points.

Jude Bellingham notched his inaugural goal in the league along with setup this term after a challenging period coming back from shoulder surgery.

The French forward maintained his clinical touch in front of goal, while the coach's game plan in his first El Clasico in the dugout proved brilliantly.

However the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again yet again.

Frustrated at coming off, the Brazilian winger protested on his way straight past Xabi Alonso and marched down the tunnel, before reappearing on the sidelines after a short while.

Tactical Setup Gets Success from Jude Bellingham

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, considering seven of Madrid's last eight coaches were defeated in their first La Liga meeting against their rivals.

Following the relaxed method under Ancelotti did not deliver in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded an important victory.

An expert commented, “He got it spot on. Madrid were impressive, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”

“Without the ball, they pressed high for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they retreated with discipline, everybody including the forward.”

“They defended in two lines separated by a short distance. Barca could not find a way through.”

This approach looks to be good news for the midfielder, as he previously had been tasked to carry the midfield in the center and additional duties.

In the lineup the 22-year-old played on the right, however he could to drift inward and support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The analyst continued, With Eduardo Camavinga in the center, you get increased movement and additional options to close down the passing lanes.”

“That forced them to position Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he was instructed to monitor the runs of Mbappe on the ball with room, and he located him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and position himself near just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options creating Barca's task tough.”

Strained Relations Exposed

There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his chant rang out on several occasions by an enthusiastic home supporters.

Yet there have been various accounts over the past period that the club might think about letting him leave if the right offer was made.

Vinicius has one year remaining on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet discussions on a renewal have stalled.

His response when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated strained relations. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

The expert said, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, as it demonstrated disrespect for the substitute who came on for him.”

However, from a young age, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he feels that the world is hostile.”

This mindset is hard to change, particularly since you consider yourself on the verge of the best player, but the team redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the star.”

Recently he has perceived that the club is not defending him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept a bid of a quarter-billion euros for him and allow him to leave.”

This affects him, and after he was taken off – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as required – to him he thinks why always me?.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and him now.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in each of the recent matches, Sunday's performance highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have deprived Hansi Flick of key players such as the Brazilian winger, the striker and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective when they are missing.

Balague said, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, softer in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. When the backline is not perfect, like on the Mbappe goal as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped by teammates not closing down opponents in possession adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was neutralized.

Key players were below par. Yamal doesn't feel like he's in good form, possibly because of a groin issue