Los Blancos Commanding but Vinicius Issues Escalate – Major El Clasico Takeaways
The match represented nearly a flawless performance for the Madrid side, as they beat their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline in the famous derby to increase their lead at the summit in La Liga to five points.
Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural league goal along with setup this campaign after a difficult spell healing from a shoulder operation.
Kylian Mbappe continued his deadly form in attack, and the coach's game plan during his debut Clasico in the dugout worked perfectly.
However the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront another time.
Frustrated at his substitution, Vinicius complained on his way straight past Xabi Alonso and stormed down the tunnel, then returning to the bench later.
Manager's Approach Yields Positive Outcomes for the Midfielder
For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, especially since the majority of Madrid's last eight coaches lost their debut La Liga meeting against Barca.
Following the player-focused method of Carlo Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, his structured approach delivered its first major result.
A specialist observed, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, while Barca were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
“Without the ball, they applied pressure as much as possible, if overcome, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody including the forward.”
The team's shape with two banks separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
The new system looks to be good news for the midfielder, who previously was essentially asked to do everything in midfield and additional duties.
In the lineup the 22-year-old started wide right, however he could to come inside and either support Mbappe or enter the box.
The analyst continued, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, this provides more dynamism and additional options to block the spaces.”
This led to the team to put Bellingham wide right. Certainly he was instructed to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe in possession and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.”
“He was asked to enter the area and be around the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life challenging.”
Conflict Issues Exposed
There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by the passionate Madrid fans.
However recently there were numerous stories over the past period that Real Madrid could entertain letting him leave if the right offer was made.
Vinicius has one year remaining on his contract when this term concludes, yet negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
The player's reaction to being replaced with 20 minutes left indicated tension. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he attempted to confront Yamal.
Balague noted, Many will criticize him for good reason, since it displayed a lack of respect toward his replacement taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been amid adversity, and he feels that he faces opposition.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you consider yourself near the best player, then the club drives the axis to Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he's felt that the organization isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they might accept a bid of a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”
He is aware of this, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in Vinicius' head he says why single me out?’.”
It may be challenging to mend relations among the parties and him now.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Having triumphed in each of the previous campaign's matches, Sunday's performance highlighted their uncertain early form.
Fitness issues have deprived Hansi Flick of key players such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system is failing when they are missing.
Balague said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, softer in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. When the backline is not perfect, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal as Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by teammates failing to press the ball-carrier as expected.”
Yamal, the main threat earlier, was kept largely in check.
The big names weren't at their best. Yamal doesn't feel like in top condition, possibly because of injury issues