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This proved to be almost a perfect day from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline in the Clasico to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to five points.

Bellingham notched his maiden domestic strike and assist this term after a challenging few months healing from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe continued his deadly touch in attack, and Alonso's tactics during his debut El Clasico as coach worked like a charm.

But then the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront another time.

Frustrated with being substituted, Vinicius complained as he walked straight past the coach and stormed down the tunnel, before coming back to the bench several minutes.

Tactical Setup Gets Results from Jude Bellingham

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, especially since the majority of Madrid's recent managers were defeated in their debut La Liga meeting with Barcelona.

Following the laissez-faire method from the previous coach fell short in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded its first major result.

A specialist observed, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were impressive, while Barca were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, and when bypassed, they tracked back in a structured manner, all players even Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two lines separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition could not find a way through.”

This approach appears to be positive for the midfielder, who previously was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the center and more.

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

The expert continued, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in the center, this provides more dynamism and better ability to close down the spaces.”

This led to them to put Jude on the right-hand side. Certainly he was instructed to track the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, connecting with him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to get into the box and position himself near just outside the box, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to block central spaces and make Barca's task challenging.”

Vinicius Tensions Exposed

There's no doubting that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him were sung repeatedly by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

Yet there have been countless reports over the past period that the club would consider selling him should a suitable bid arrived.

The winger has one season to go on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.

Vinicius' behavior when substituted with 20 minutes left spoke of strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player.

Balague noted, Many will criticize him and rightly so, since it displayed disrespect for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, he has lived in a hostile world, and he feels that he faces opposition.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, especially when you consider yourself close to being the top star, then the club drives the axis to Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he's felt that the club isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”

“He feels all that, and when the coach substituted him – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as required – in Vinicius' head he questions why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile with the club and him currently.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in all four of previous campaign's matches, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain early form.

Fitness issues have deprived the Barcelona coach of key players such as Raphinha, the striker plus others, and the tactical setup isn't working in their absence.

The analyst said, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp without the ball, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity in pressing.”

“It's easier to break them down. Should the defense is not perfect, which was the case Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press opponents in possession adequately.”

The young talent, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was well contained.

Key players did not perform well. The youngster doesn't feel like he's in good form, maybe due to injury issues