Los Blancos Commanding however Vinicius Junior Issues Escalate – Key Clasico Talking Points
This proved to be nearly an ideal performance for the Madrid side, who beat Barcelona 2-1 during the Clasico and increase their advantage at the summit in La Liga with a five-point cushion.
The English midfielder got his maiden domestic strike and setup of the season following a difficult spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.
Kylian Mbappe showed his lethal touch when scoring, while the coach's game plan during his debut Clasico on the sidelines functioned like a charm.
However the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.
Frustrated at coming off, the star forward protested while walking straight past the coach before marched off the pitch, then coming back to the substitute area later.
Tactical Setup Yields Positive Outcomes from Jude Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, given that seven of Real's last eight coaches were defeated in their debut La Liga match with their rivals.
After the relaxed method from the previous coach failed to get results last season, the new tactical system yielded an important victory.
An expert observed, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, and Barca didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”
“Without the ball, they pressed high consistently, if overcome, they fell back in an organised way, all players including Vinicius.”
“They defended in two layers spaced by 5-10 meters. Barcelona could not find a way through.”
The new system appears to be good news for Bellingham, as he previously had been tasked to do everything in the center and beyond.
Theoretically the 22-year-old started wide right, but in practice he was allowed to move centrally and support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
Balague added, Employing the French midfielder in central midfield, you get more dynamism and better ability to block the passing lanes.”
“That forced them to position Jude wide right. Undoubtedly his role included to keep an eye on the forward's positioning when he had the ball and had space, connecting with him on several occasions.”
He was told to move into the penalty area and be around the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life tough.”
Strained Relations Exposed
There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his name was chanted on several occasions by a fervent Madrid fans.
Yet there have been countless reports over the past period that the club would consider letting him leave if the right offer were to come in.
The winger will have one season to go on his contract when this term concludes, yet negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
Vinicius' behavior after coming off with 20 minutes left indicated strained relations. Post-game, he was held back as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.
The expert said, He will face backlash and rightly so, since it displayed a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
This mindset is tough to overcome, particularly since you believe close to being number one in the world, and the organization drives the axis towards Mbappe as the star.”
“This season he's felt that the organization isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of 250m euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
He is aware of this, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.”
It may be challenging to reconcile among the parties and Vinicius currently.”
Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”
Having triumphed in each of the previous campaign's derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.
Fitness issues have left without the manager of key players such as Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup isn't working when they are missing.
Balague said, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. If the defensive line is not organized, like on Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not closing down the ball-carrier as expected.”
The young talent, the main threat earlier, was well contained.
The big names did not perform well. Yamal seems not he is at his best, maybe due to injury issues