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It was nearly an ideal performance for Real Madrid, who beat Barcelona 2-1 during the famous derby and stretch the gap at the top in La Liga with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder got his first league goal along with assist this campaign following a tough spell coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward continued his clinical touch when scoring, while the manager's strategy in his first derby in the dugout proved brilliantly.

However the Brazilian's situation emerged again another time.

Unhappy with his substitution, Vinicius ranted as he walked directly past the coach and headed down the tunnel, then returning to the substitute area later.

Tactical Setup Yields Success from Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Real's recent managers lost their first league match with Barca.

After the player-focused style of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver in the previous campaign, the new tactical system produced its first major result.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid were impressive, and Barca struggled because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they applied pressure for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup with two banks with a gap of a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change appears to be positive for the midfielder, who in the past had been tasked to do everything in midfield and additional duties.

Theoretically the young star played on the right, but actually he could to move centrally and either support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The analyst added, With Eduardo Camavinga in the center, you get greater energy and additional options to shut down the spaces.”

This led to the team to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure his role included to monitor Mbappe's movements in possession and found openings, connecting with him on several occasions.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and operate on just outside the box, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to block central spaces creating the opponent's play very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

Undoubtedly that the fans love Vinicius, calls for him was chanted multiple times by a fervent Madrid fans.

However there have been countless reports over the past period that Los Blancos could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal was made.

He will have a year left on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

His response after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of tension. Post-game, teammates intervened when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

Balague noted, He will face backlash and justifiably, since it displayed a lack of respect toward his replacement who replaced him.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you believe close to being the best player, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the star.”

Recently he's felt that the organization isn't protecting him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of €250 million for him and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, so when Alonso subbed him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he thinks why single me out?’.”

“It will be difficult to mend relations among the parties and him at the moment.”

Their System “Struggles”

Following victories in all four of recent Clasicos, this outing represented their uncertain start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have deprived the Barcelona coach of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach is not effective when they are missing.

The analyst stated, The squad seems lack sharpness when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”

Opponents find it simpler to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, like on the first goal since the defender played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack not closing down the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was well contained.

Key players weren't at their best. The youngster seems not in top condition, possibly because of injury issues