🔗 Share this article Los Blancos Strong yet Vinicius Issues Grow – Major El Clasico Takeaways This proved to be almost a perfect day for Real Madrid, who overcame Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico and extend their advantage at the top of La Liga to five points. Jude Bellingham got his inaugural league goal along with setup this campaign following a difficult spell healing from a shoulder operation. Mbappe continued his clinical touch in attack, while the coach's game plan in his first derby on the sidelines proved like a charm. But then the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront another time. Unhappy with his substitution, the Brazilian winger complained as he walked right by his manager and marched down the tunnel, then reappearing to the substitute area later. Manager's Approach Delivers Positive Outcomes for Jude Bellingham For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Madrid's last eight bosses were defeated in their debut league encounter with Barca. Following the player-focused approach of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver earlier, the new tactical system produced an important victory. Spanish football analyst observed, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid performed excellently, while Barca were off-color because of Madrid's tactics.” Defensively, they pressed high consistently, and when bypassed, they fell back with discipline, everybody including the forward.” “They defended with two banks with a gap of 5-10 meters. The opposition could not find a way through.” The tactical change seems positive for Jude, as he previously had been tasked to carry the midfield in midfield and beyond. On paper the young star was positioned on the right, however he was allowed to move centrally and either assist the attack or get into scoring positions. Balague continued, With Camavinga in central midfield, it brings greater energy and more ways to close down the spaces.” “That forced the team to position Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly his role included to monitor the forward's positioning on the ball and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.” He was told to move into the penalty area and operate on the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make Barca's task very difficult.” Conflict Issues Laid Bare There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant were sung repeatedly by the passionate Bernabeu crowd. Yet recently there were various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid could entertain selling him if the right offer arrived. He will have one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled. The player's reaction when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated issues. Post-game, he was held back as he tried to approach the Barcelona player. The expert said, Many will criticize him and rightly so, as it demonstrated a lack of respect toward his replacement taking his place.” However, from a young age, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.” “That mentality is difficult to shake, especially when you believe on the verge of the top star, but the team redirects attention towards Mbappe as the star.” During this campaign he believes that Real Madrid has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they might accept if someone paid €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.” “He feels all that, so when he was taken off – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.” It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and him now.” Their System “Falls Apart” Following victories in each of the recent matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barca's shaky early form. Injuries have deprived the Barcelona coach of important stars including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and his system is failing when they are missing. The expert said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness without the ball, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to get the possession back.” “It's easier to attack them. When the backline is flawed, like on Mbappe's strike since the defender kept him onside, they are not helped by teammates not closing down the ball-carrier adequately.” Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was well contained. The big names weren't at their best. Lamine seems not in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems