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The match represented nearly a perfect day from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat their arch-rivals two goals to one during El Clasico to increase their lead at the summit of the domestic championship by five points.

The English midfielder notched his first goal in the league and key pass this campaign following a tough spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward continued his clinical touch in attack, while the manager's strategy in his first Clasico as coach worked like a charm.

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

Frustrated at being substituted, Vinicius protested while walking directly past Xabi Alonso and marched to the dressing room, before returning to the substitute area several minutes.

Manager's Approach Yields Success for the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, considering the majority of Real's recent coaches were defeated in their initial league match with their rivals.

Following the player-focused style of Carlo Ancelotti fell short earlier, the new tactical system delivered its first major result.

A specialist commented, His plan was perfect. The home side performed excellently, and the visitors were off-color due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they applied pressure as much as possible, and when bypassed, they retreated with discipline, everybody including the forward.”

Their defensive setup with two banks with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

This approach appears to be positive for the midfielder, as he previously had been tasked to carry the midfield in midfield and beyond.

On paper the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but actually he was allowed to come inside and assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

Balague continued, Employing the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides more dynamism and more ways to close down the passing lanes.”

“That forced the team to deploy Bellingham on the right flank. I'm sure he would have been asked to track Mbappe's movements when he had the ball and had space, connecting with him a few times.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and operate on just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also came inside to close the inside channels and make Barca's task challenging.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, his name were sung repeatedly by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.

But multiple countless reports over the past period that the club might think about allowing his departure if the right offer was made.

He has one season to go on his contract at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

His response after coming off in the second half spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.

The expert commented, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, since it displayed disrespect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

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

Such thinking is tough to overcome, particularly since you feel close to being the top star, but the team drives the axis to Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he's felt that the club has not supported him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for him and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and after the coach substituted him – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as required – to him he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to build a bridge with the club and the player at the moment.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in all four of recent matches, the latest display highlighted Barca's shaky start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have deprived the manager of important stars including the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup isn't working when they are missing.

Balague stated, The squad seems are slightly off when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”

They are more vulnerable to break them down. Should the defense is not perfect, which was the case the first goal since the defender kept him onside, they receive little support by teammates failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”

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

Key players weren't at their best. Yamal appears in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue