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It was almost a flawless day for Xabi Alonso's squad, who overcame their arch-rivals 2-1 during El Clasico and stretch the gap in first place of the Spanish league to five points.

Jude Bellingham notched his inaugural goal in the league and key pass this campaign following a tough period recovering from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical touch when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his first El Clasico as coach proved like a charm.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront once more.

Unhappy at coming off, Vinicius ranted while walking right by Xabi Alonso before headed to the dressing room, before coming back on the sidelines several minutes.

Tactical Setup Yields Positive Outcomes from Jude Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, especially since seven of Real's previous eight bosses were defeated in their initial La Liga meeting with Barcelona.

After the player-focused method under Ancelotti fell short earlier, the new tactical system produced an important victory.

A specialist observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid performed excellently, while Barcelona struggled because of the home team's approach.”

When not in possession, they pushed up for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they fell back with discipline, everybody even the forward.”

The team's shape in two layers separated by 5-10 meters. The opposition could not find a way through.”

This approach appears to be positive for Jude, who previously had been tasked to carry the midfield in the engine room and more.

On paper Bellingham played on the right, but in practice he was allowed to come inside and support Mbappe or enter the box.

Balague added, With Camavinga in central midfield, you get increased movement and more ways to block the passing lanes.”

This led to the team to deploy Bellingham wide right. Certainly he was instructed to keep an eye on the forward's positioning on the ball and had space, and he found him on several occasions.”

“He was asked to get into the box and operate on the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to block central spaces creating the opponent's play challenging.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his chant rang out repeatedly by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

Yet multiple countless reports lately that Real Madrid would consider selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.

Vinicius has one season to go on his contract come the end of the season, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

The player's reaction after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of tension. Post-game, he was held back as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.

The expert said, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, as it demonstrated a lack of respect for the substitute who replaced him.”

Yet, growing up, his life has been amid adversity, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is tough to overcome, particularly since you consider yourself near the top star, but the team redirects attention to Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he has perceived that the club has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and after the coach substituted him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to build a bridge among the parties and Vinicius currently.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in each of the recent Clasicos, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.

Absences have robbed Hansi Flick of key players such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the approach isn't working when they are missing.

The expert stated, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. Should the defense is not organized, which was the case the first goal as Balde played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging those on the ball as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

The big names weren't at their best. Yamal doesn't feel like he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues