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The match represented almost an ideal outing for Real Madrid, as they overcame Barca 2-1 during the famous derby to increase their advantage at the top of La Liga to five points.

Jude Bellingham notched his inaugural league goal and key pass this campaign following a tough few months coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward maintained his lethal form in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his inaugural El Clasico as coach worked brilliantly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question reared its head yet again.

Unhappy with coming off, Vinicius ranted while walking right by his manager before headed to the dressing room, before coming back to the bench after a short while.

Manager's Approach Gets Success for Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, considering seven of Madrid's recent coaches lost their first La Liga encounter with Barcelona.

After the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results last season, his structured approach produced an important victory.

A specialist observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were impressive, while Barcelona didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they tracked back with discipline, everybody even the forward.”

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

The tactical change looks to be positive for Bellingham, as he in the past had been tasked to do everything in the center and beyond.

Theoretically the young star was positioned on the right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and assist the attack or enter the box.

The expert continued, With the French midfielder in the middle, it brings increased movement and more ways to shut down the spaces.”

This led to them to deploy Bellingham wide right. Certainly his role included to track the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, and he found him a few times.”

His instructions included to enter the area and operate on the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to block central spaces and cause the opponent's play very difficult.”

Strained Relations Exposed

There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his name was chanted on several occasions by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.

However there have been various accounts in recent months that the club could entertain allowing his departure if an attractive proposal were to come in.

Vinicius has one year remaining on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal have not progressed.

Vinicius' behavior when substituted in the second half indicated tension. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Yamal.

The analyst noted, Many will criticize him for good reason, since it displayed poor sportsmanship for the substitute taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that the world is hostile.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, notably when you believe on the verge of number one in the world, but the team redirects attention towards Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he's felt that the club isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept if someone paid 250m euros for him and sell him.”

“He feels all that, and when Alonso subbed him – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as required – to him he questions why always me?.”

“It will be difficult to mend relations among the parties and Vinicius currently.”

Their System “Struggles”

Having triumphed in each of the previous campaign's derbies, this outing represented their uncertain beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, the striker and Dani Olmo, and his system isn't working in their absence.

The analyst said, Barcelona appear are slightly off when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. Should the defense is not organized, like on the first goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support from the attack not closing down opponents in possession as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was neutralized.

The big names weren't at their best. Yamal seems not in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues