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The match represented nearly a perfect performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat Barcelona 2-1 during the famous derby to stretch the gap at the summit of the domestic championship by five points.

The English midfielder scored his inaugural league goal and setup this campaign after a challenging spell recovering from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical form when scoring, while the manager's strategy in his first Clasico in the dugout functioned perfectly.

However the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront once more.

Frustrated with his substitution, the star forward protested as he walked straight past Xabi Alonso and stormed off the pitch, then coming back to the bench after a short while.

Tactical Setup Gets Success for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Madrid's previous eight managers lost their first La Liga match with Barca.

Following the laissez-faire method of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver last season, Alonso's positional game-model yielded a significant outcome.

An expert commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid performed excellently, while Barca were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, if overcome, they fell back with discipline, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

This approach looks to be good news for Bellingham, who previously had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.

In the lineup the young star started wide right, however he had the freedom to move centrally and either link with Mbappe or enter the box.

Balague continued, With the French midfielder in the middle, it brings greater energy and better ability to close down the channels.”

As a result the team to position Bellingham on the right flank. I'm sure his role included to track Mbappe's movements on the ball and found openings, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to enter the area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to block central spaces and cause Barca's task tough.”

Strained Relations Revealed

There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his name rang out on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

However recently there were numerous stories lately that the club might think about letting him leave should a suitable bid arrived.

He will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, yet discussions on a renewal have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of strained relations. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

The expert commented, He will face backlash for good reason, because it showed disrespect for the substitute who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, he has existed in a hostile world, and perceives that the world is hostile.”

“That mentality is tough to overcome, notably when you consider yourself near the top star, then the club shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he has perceived that the organization has not supported him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open a bid of €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.”

This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in Vinicius' head he thinks why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and him now.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in all four of previous campaign's matches, the latest display highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have deprived Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, the striker and Dani Olmo, and the approach isn't working in their absence.

The expert said, The squad seems are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity in pressing.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not challenging opponents in possession as expected.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.

“Their stars were below par. Yamal appears in top condition, maybe due to groin problems