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This proved to be almost a perfect day for the Madrid side, who beat Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during El Clasico to increase their advantage in first place of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham notched his first domestic strike and assist this campaign following a challenging few months coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe continued his lethal touch when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his first derby on the sidelines worked like a charm.

Yet the Brazilian's situation reared its head another time.

Dissatisfied at being substituted, the star forward protested as he walked right by Xabi Alonso before stormed down the tunnel, before coming back on the sidelines after a short while.

Tactical Setup Yields Results for Jude Bellingham

In his first derby, it was a solid start, considering the majority of Madrid's last eight coaches lost their first La Liga encounter with Barcelona.

After the laissez-faire approach of Carlo Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered its first major result.

Spanish football analyst commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while Barcelona didn't play well due to Madrid's tactics.”

Defensively, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated in a structured manner, all players including Vinicius.”

“They defended with two banks with a gap of a short distance. Barca could not find a way through.”

This approach looks to be positive for Bellingham, who previously had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.

On paper the young star was positioned on the right, but actually he could to move centrally and support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The expert added, Employing Camavinga in the middle, you get increased movement and better ability to block the passing lanes.”

As a result them to deploy Bellingham wide right. Certainly he was instructed to keep an eye on the forward's positioning in possession with room, connecting with him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and position himself near the edge of the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and cause Barcelona's life tough.”

Strained Relations Revealed

It's clear that supporters adore Vinicius, his chant were sung multiple times by a fervent Madrid fans.

Yet there have been various accounts in recent months that Los Blancos could entertain selling him if the right offer arrived.

Vinicius has one year remaining under his current terms when this term concludes, yet discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

The player's reaction after coming off with 20 minutes left suggested issues. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

The analyst said, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement taking his place.”

However, from a young age, he has lived in a hostile world, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you feel on the verge of the best player, and the organization shifts the focus to Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he believes that the club isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of a quarter-billion euros to sign him and sell him.”

He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as he should – to him he says why always me?.”

It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and Vinicius currently.”

Their System “Struggles”

After winning all four of recent Clasicos, Sunday's performance was emblematic of their uncertain early form.

Absences have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including Raphinha, the striker plus others, and his system is failing when they are missing.

The analyst said, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive in pressing.”

“It's easier to attack them. When the backline is not perfect, like on the Mbappe goal as Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards not closing down those on the ball as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was well contained.

“Their stars weren't at their best. Lamine doesn't feel like he's in good form, possibly because of groin problems