🔗 Share this article

It was almost a perfect day from Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline in El Clasico to stretch their advantage at the top in the Spanish league by five points.

The English midfielder scored his inaugural domestic strike along with key pass of the season following a challenging spell coming back from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe showed his lethal form in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his first derby in the dugout proved like a charm.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head another time.

Unhappy at coming off, the Brazilian winger complained on his way right by his manager before marched to the dressing room, before coming back on the sidelines after a short while.

Alonso System Delivers Success for Jude Bellingham

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, given that the majority of Madrid's recent coaches were defeated in their first league encounter with Barcelona.

After the relaxed style under Ancelotti fell short last season, his structured approach produced its first major result.

Spanish football analyst commented, His plan was perfect. Madrid performed excellently, and Barca struggled because of the home team's approach.”

When not in possession, they pressed high as much as possible, and when bypassed, they fell back in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”

The team's shape with two banks separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

The new system looks to be positive for Jude, as he in the past was essentially asked to do everything in the engine room and more.

On paper the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, however he could to come inside and either link with Mbappe or enter the box.

The expert stated, With the French midfielder in the center, this provides more dynamism and more ways to close down the passing lanes.”

“That forced the team to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to monitor the forward's positioning in possession with room, connecting with him on several occasions.”

“He was asked to enter the area and position himself near the edge of the box, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options creating Barca's task tough.”

Vinicius Tensions Exposed

It's clear that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his chant rang out repeatedly by an enthusiastic home supporters.

Yet multiple various accounts over the past period that the club might think about letting him leave should a suitable bid was made.

The winger will have a year left on his deal at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.

His response after coming off in the second half spoke of issues. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

The expert noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, since it displayed a lack of respect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed amid adversity, and perceives that the world is hostile.”

“That mentality is hard to change, especially when you believe on the verge of the top star, then the club shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he believes that the club is not defending him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of a quarter-billion euros for him and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and after the coach substituted him – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – to him he thinks why always me?.”

“It will be difficult to reconcile among the parties and the player currently.”

Their System “Falls Apart”

Following victories in each of the recent matches, the latest display represented Barca's shaky early form.

Injuries have robbed the manager of crucial contributors including the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective without them.

Balague commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, softer to reclaim the ball.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. If the defensive line is flawed, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal since the defender failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not challenging those on the ball as well as they should.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was neutralized.

The big names weren't at their best. The youngster seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue