The match represented nearly a flawless performance for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline in El Clasico to increase the gap in first place of La Liga to five points.
The English midfielder scored his maiden domestic strike along with setup of the season after a challenging period recovering from shoulder surgery.
Mbappe showed his clinical form in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his first derby as coach proved like a charm.
However the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.
Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger complained on his way straight past his manager and stormed off the pitch, then coming back to the bench later.
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, especially since seven of Madrid's last eight coaches lost their first league meeting against Barcelona.
After the relaxed approach of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results last season, Alonso's positional game-model yielded a significant outcome.
Spanish football analyst observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were very good, and Barca didn't play well because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
When not in possession, they pushed up as much as possible, if overcome, they retreated with discipline, all players even Vinicius.”
The team's shape in two lines separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition were unable to break through.”
The new system seems positive for Jude, who last season was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in midfield and additional duties.
Theoretically Bellingham started wide right, however he was allowed to move centrally and link with Mbappe or enter the box.
Balague added, With the French midfielder in the center, you get increased movement and additional options to close down the passing lanes.”
“That forced the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to monitor the runs of Mbappe in possession with room, connecting with him repeatedly.”
“He was asked to enter the area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play very difficult.”
It's clear that Madridistas love Vinicius, calls for him was chanted multiple times by the passionate home supporters.
But there have been various accounts over the past period that the club could entertain allowing his departure if an attractive proposal was made.
He has one year remaining on his deal come the end of the season, yet talks over a new deal have stalled.
The player's reaction when substituted late in the game spoke of tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.
The analyst said, Many will criticize him and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who came on for him.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been in a hostile world, and perceives that he faces opposition.”
“That mentality is tough to overcome, notably when you believe near number one in the world, and the organization shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”
Recently he's felt that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open an offer worth 250m euros for him and let him go.”
He is aware of this, and when he was taken off – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – to him he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”
Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and him now.”
After winning each of the recent matches, Sunday's performance represented Barca's shaky early form.
Absences have left without the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, the striker and Dani Olmo, and the tactical setup is failing when they are missing.
The expert stated, “It's like the whole team are slightly off without the ball, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”
“It's easier to break them down. If the defensive line is not organized, like on the first goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards failing to press opponents in possession as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, the main threat earlier, was kept largely in check.
The big names did not perform well. Yamal seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue
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