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It was almost a perfect outing for the Madrid side, as they overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one during the famous derby to stretch the gap in first place in La Liga with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with key pass this term after a difficult few months healing from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward maintained his lethal performance in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his first derby on the sidelines worked like a charm.

However the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront yet again.

Dissatisfied with coming off, Vinicius ranted on his way straight past his manager and headed down the tunnel, before reappearing to the substitute area later.

Manager's Approach Delivers Positive Outcomes from the Midfielder

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's recent managers were defeated in their debut league encounter with their rivals.

After the player-focused approach under Ancelotti failed to get results earlier, Alonso's positional game-model yielded an important victory.

A specialist commented, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid performed excellently, while Barca were off-color due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, and when bypassed, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody even Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two lines separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition could not find a way through.”

The tactical change seems positive for the midfielder, who previously was expected to carry the midfield in the engine room and additional duties.

Theoretically the 22-year-old played on the right, however he was allowed to come inside and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The expert stated, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, you get greater energy and better ability to block the spaces.”

“That forced them to position Bellingham wide right. Certainly he would have been asked to monitor Mbappe's movements on the ball and had space, and he located him repeatedly.”

He was told to move into the penalty area and position himself near the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make Barcelona's life very difficult.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, calls for him were sung on several occasions by a fervent home supporters.

Yet there have been various accounts over the past period that Los Blancos would consider allowing his departure if an attractive proposal were to come in.

He has one season to go under his current terms when this term concludes, yet discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.

The player's reaction when substituted in the second half indicated tension. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.

The analyst noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated a lack of respect toward his replacement who came on for him.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived amid adversity, and he feels that everyone is against him.”

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

During this campaign he's felt that Real Madrid is not defending him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they would be open an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for him and let him go.”

This affects him, and after he was taken off – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – to him he questions why always me?.”

Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge among the parties and the player currently.”

Barcelona Style “Crumbles”

Having triumphed in all four of last season's matches, this outing highlighted Barca's shaky beginning of the season.

Absences have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors such as the Brazilian winger, the striker and Olmo, and his system isn't working in their absence.

The expert commented, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. If the defensive line is not organized, which was the case Mbappe's strike as Balde played him onside, they are not helped from the attack not closing down opponents in possession as expected.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was well contained.

“Their stars were below par. Yamal doesn't feel like in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues