Los Blancos Impressive yet Vinicius Junior Issues Grow – Important El Clasico Takeaways
This proved to be almost a perfect day from the Madrid side, who overcame Barcelona 2-1 in the Clasico to stretch their advantage at the summit of La Liga to five points.
Jude Bellingham got his first goal in the league along with key pass of the season after a challenging few months coming back from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe maintained his lethal touch in attack, while the coach's game plan during his debut derby on the sidelines proved like a charm.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront another time.
Unhappy with coming off, the star forward complained while walking right by Xabi Alonso before marched to the dressing room, before reappearing to the substitute area later.
Manager's Approach Yields Success for the Midfielder
For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Madrid's last eight bosses were defeated in their first league match with their rivals.
Following the player-focused style of Carlo Ancelotti fell short earlier, his structured approach delivered a significant outcome.
A specialist commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were impressive, while Barca were off-color due to the home team's approach.”
Defensively, they pushed up consistently, and if they were beaten, they tracked back with discipline, everybody including Vinicius.”
“They defended in two layers with a gap of a short distance. Barca were unable to break through.”
This approach seems positive for Jude, who in the past had been tasked to do everything in the engine room and additional duties.
Theoretically the young star started wide right, but actually he had the freedom to come inside and link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
The analyst added, With the French midfielder in the middle, this provides more dynamism and additional options to block the channels.”
This led to them to deploy Jude wide right. I'm sure he was instructed to monitor Mbappe's movements in possession with room, and he located him a few times.”
His instructions included to get into the box and be around just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to cut off passing options and make Barca's task very difficult.”
Conflict Issues Exposed
Undoubtedly that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, his chant was chanted on several occasions by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.
Yet multiple various accounts lately that Real Madrid could entertain letting him leave should a suitable bid was made.
The winger has one year remaining under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but talks over a new deal have stalled.
Vinicius' behavior when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated tension. When the match ended, he was held back as he attempted to confront Yamal.
The analyst commented, He will face backlash for good reason, because it showed disrespect for the substitute taking his place.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been in a challenging environment, and perceives that the world is hostile.”
“That mentality is tough to overcome, notably when you feel on the verge of the best player, then the club redirects attention towards Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he believes that the organization isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and allow him to leave.”
“He feels all that, so when he was taken off – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in his mind he questions why single me out?’.”
“It will be difficult to mend relations among the parties and the player at the moment.”
Their System “Struggles”
Following victories in each of the last season's derbies, this outing represented their uncertain early form.
Fitness issues have left without the Barcelona coach of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup is failing when they are missing.
Balague commented, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. When the backline is not perfect, which was the case the first goal as Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not closing down those on the ball adequately.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was kept largely in check.
The big names weren't at their best. Yamal doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of a groin issue