Los Blancos Impressive yet Vinicius Junior Strains Grow – Key Clasico Takeaways
This proved to be practically an ideal outing from the Madrid side, who beat their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline during El Clasico and extend the gap in first place in the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham scored his first league goal along with setup of the season following a difficult few months recovering from a shoulder operation.
Kylian Mbappe maintained his lethal performance when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural derby on the sidelines worked like a charm.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront once more.
Frustrated with his substitution, the star forward protested while walking directly past his manager before headed off the pitch, before coming back to the bench later.
Manager's Approach Delivers Positive Outcomes for Jude Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, especially since seven of Madrid's recent managers lost their initial league encounter with Barcelona.
After the laissez-faire method under Ancelotti failed to get results earlier, his structured approach delivered a significant outcome.
An expert noted, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were very good, while the visitors struggled because of the home team's approach.”
Defensively, they pushed up for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they retreated in a structured manner, all players including the forward.”
“They defended in two layers separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
The tactical change looks to be positive for the midfielder, as he previously was expected to do everything in midfield and more.
Theoretically the young star started wide right, but in practice he was allowed to move centrally and support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
Balague stated, “By using Camavinga in the middle, this provides increased movement and better ability to close down the passing lanes.”
“That forced the team to deploy Jude on the right flank. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to monitor Mbappe's movements on the ball and had space, and he found him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to enter the area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play very difficult.”
Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare
It's clear that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his name was chanted repeatedly by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
However there have been various accounts in recent months that Los Blancos could entertain letting him leave if the right offer arrived.
He has one year remaining on his deal come the end of the season, but talks over a new deal are at a standstill.
His response after coming off late in the game indicated issues. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.
The expert commented, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”
However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and perceives that everyone is against him.”
“That mentality is hard to change, especially when you feel near the best player, and the organization redirects attention towards Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he believes that the organization has not supported him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they might accept an offer worth €250 million for his transfer and let him go.”
“He feels all that, and after he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in his mind he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to reconcile with the club and the player at the moment.”
Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”
Following victories in each of the recent derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of their uncertain start to the campaign.
Injuries have robbed Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective in their absence.
The analyst commented, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp defensively, with less desire to win it back, softer in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. Should the defense is flawed, like on the first goal as Balde played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”
The young talent, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was well contained.
The big names did not perform well. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, maybe due to injury issues