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It was almost a flawless day for the Madrid side, who beat Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline in the famous derby to increase the gap at the top of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder scored his first goal in the league along with assist of the season after a challenging spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward maintained his clinical performance in attack, and the manager's strategy in his inaugural El Clasico as coach functioned brilliantly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head once more.

Unhappy at coming off, the Brazilian winger protested on his way straight past Xabi Alonso and marched off the pitch, before returning on the sidelines several minutes.

Tactical Setup Delivers Success from the Midfielder

As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, given that the majority of Real's recent coaches lost their first league match with Barca.

After the player-focused style from the previous coach failed to get results earlier, his structured approach produced an important victory.

Spanish football analyst observed, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, while Barcelona were off-color because of the home team's approach.”

When not in possession, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup with two banks spaced by five to 10 metres. Barca were unable to break through.”

This approach appears to be beneficial for Jude, who last season had been tasked to do everything in the center and additional duties.

In the lineup the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he had the freedom to drift inward and link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

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

As a result them to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he was instructed to track the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to get into the box and position himself near the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to block central spaces and cause Barcelona's life challenging.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

It's clear that Madridistas love Vinicius, his name was chanted repeatedly by the passionate home supporters.

However multiple numerous stories lately that Los Blancos would consider selling him if the right offer were to come in.

He has a year left on his deal come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension have stalled.

His response when substituted late in the game suggested tension. When the match ended, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Yamal.

The analyst noted, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, since it displayed disrespect for Rodrygo who came on for him.”

However, from a young age, he has existed in a hostile world, and he feels that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is hard to change, particularly since you consider yourself on the verge of the top star, but the team shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

“This season he's felt that Real Madrid is not defending him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they would be open an offer worth €250 million to sign him and let him go.”

He is aware of this, and when he was taken off – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as required – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to build a bridge among the parties and the player now.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in all four of last season's Clasicos, the latest display was emblematic of Barca's shaky beginning of the season.

Injuries have deprived the Barcelona coach of key players such as Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the approach is failing without them.

Balague commented, Barcelona appear lack sharpness defensively, with less desire to win it back, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. When the backline is flawed, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by teammates not closing down the ball-carrier adequately.”

The young talent, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was well contained.

The big names did not perform well. Lamine doesn't feel like he's in good form, possibly because of groin problems