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It was almost an ideal performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat Barca 2-1 during the Clasico and extend the gap at the summit in the Spanish league by five points.

Jude Bellingham scored his first league goal along with setup this campaign after a tough period coming back from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his lethal form in front of goal, and Alonso's tactics in his inaugural derby as coach functioned brilliantly.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.

Unhappy at his substitution, the star forward ranted as he walked right by his manager and marched down the tunnel, before reappearing on the sidelines several minutes.

Tactical Setup Yields Success for Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Real's previous eight bosses lost their first La Liga encounter against Barca.

Following the player-focused approach of Carlo Ancelotti fell short last season, Alonso's positional game-model delivered an important victory.

A specialist commented, “He got it spot on. The home side were very good, while the visitors were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape with two banks with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

The new system looks to be beneficial for Bellingham, who last season was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the center and beyond.

On paper the 22-year-old started wide right, but in practice he could to come inside and either assist the attack or enter the box.

The expert continued, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, it brings more dynamism and more ways to close down the spaces.”

This led to the team to position Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly his role included to monitor the runs of Mbappe on the ball with room, and he found him repeatedly.”

“He was asked to enter the area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and cause the opponent's play tough.”

Strained Relations Exposed

Undoubtedly that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, his chant rang out multiple times by a fervent home supporters.

Yet recently there were numerous stories lately that the club would consider selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.

The winger will have one season to go under his current terms when this term concludes, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

His response when substituted late in the game indicated issues. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

The analyst said, Many will criticize him and rightly so, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship for the substitute who came on for him.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

“That mentality is tough to overcome, especially when you consider yourself on the verge of the top star, then the club shifts the focus to Mbappe as the key figure.”

“This season he has perceived that the organization has not supported him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open an offer worth 250m euros for him and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, and when Alonso subbed him – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as required – in Vinicius' head he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to reconcile with the club and the player now.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in each of the recent Clasicos, Sunday's performance represented Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.

Injuries have deprived Hansi Flick of important stars including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach isn't working when they are missing.

The analyst commented, Barcelona appear lack sharpness when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, softer in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. When the backline is not perfect, like on the first goal as Balde kept him onside, they are not helped from the attack not challenging opponents in possession as well as they should.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was neutralized.

“Their stars were below par. Lamine seems not he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems