Real Madrid Strong however Vinicius Tensions Escalate – Key Clasico Highlights
It was almost a perfect performance for the Madrid side, as they overcame Barca by a 2-1 scoreline in the Clasico to extend the gap at the summit of the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.
Bellingham got his inaugural domestic strike and setup of the season after a challenging period coming back from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe continued his lethal form in front of goal, and the manager's strategy in his inaugural Clasico as coach proved perfectly.
Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront yet again.
Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger protested as he walked straight past Xabi Alonso before marched down the tunnel, before coming back to the bench several minutes.
Tactical Setup Delivers Success from Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, especially since seven of Real's previous eight coaches lost their first league meeting against their rivals.
Following the relaxed style of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver in the previous campaign, the new tactical system produced an important victory.
A specialist commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were impressive, while Barca were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.”
When not in possession, they applied pressure consistently, and when bypassed, they fell back in an organised way, all players including the forward.”
The team's shape in two lines separated by a short distance. Barcelona were unable to break through.”
This approach appears to be positive for the midfielder, as he last season was essentially asked to do everything in the center and additional duties.
In the lineup the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, however he was allowed to drift inward and support Mbappe or enter the box.
The analyst stated, With Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings more dynamism and additional options to block the spaces.”
This led to the team to put Bellingham wide right. Certainly his role included to monitor Mbappe's movements in possession with room, and he found him a few times.”
“He was asked to move into the penalty area and position himself near just outside the box, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and cause Barcelona's life tough.”
Vinicius Tensions Revealed
It's clear that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, his chant was chanted on several occasions by a fervent home supporters.
But recently there were countless reports over the past period that Los Blancos could entertain selling him if the right offer were to come in.
He has one season to go on his contract come the end of the season, yet discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.
His response when substituted in the second half indicated issues. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.
The expert noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, since it displayed poor sportsmanship for the substitute who came on for him.”
However, from a young age, he has lived in a challenging environment, and perceives that he faces opposition.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, particularly since you consider yourself on the verge of the top star, then the club drives the axis towards Mbappe as the star.”
“This season he's felt that the club has not supported him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.”
This affects him, and after Alonso subbed him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – in his mind he questions why single me out?’.”
It may be challenging to reconcile between the club and him now.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Following victories in all four of previous campaign's Clasicos, this outing represented Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.
Injuries have deprived Hansi Flick of important stars such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach is not effective in their absence.
Balague commented, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp without the ball, with less desire to win it back, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
“It's easier to attack them. Should the defense is flawed, which was the case the Mbappe goal since the defender kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack not challenging those on the ball as expected.”
Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was neutralized.
The big names weren't at their best. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems