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This proved to be nearly a flawless performance for Real Madrid, who defeated Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico and increase the gap at the top of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with key pass this term following a challenging few months coming back from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe continued his deadly form in attack, while Alonso's tactics during his debut El Clasico on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront another time.

Dissatisfied with coming off, Vinicius ranted on his way straight past the coach and headed off the pitch, before coming back to the substitute area later.

Tactical Setup Delivers Positive Outcomes for the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, given that seven of Real's recent managers lost their debut league encounter with Barca.

Following the laissez-faire method from the previous coach failed to get results earlier, Alonso's positional game-model produced a significant outcome.

Spanish football analyst noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were very good, and Barcelona didn't play well because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they applied pressure consistently, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, all players even Vinicius.”

“They defended in two layers spaced by five to 10 metres. The opposition could not find a way through.”

This approach looks to be good news for the midfielder, who in the past was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and additional duties.

On paper the 22-year-old started wide right, but in practice he could to come inside and support Mbappe or enter the box.

The expert continued, “By using Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, you get more dynamism and more ways to shut down the spaces.”

As a result them to deploy Jude wide right. I'm sure his role included to monitor the forward's positioning on the ball and had space, connecting with him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. Additionally, he moved centrally to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play very difficult.”

Vinicius Tensions Revealed

There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant rang out on several occasions by the passionate Madrid fans.

But there have been countless reports lately that Real Madrid might think about letting him leave if an attractive proposal was made.

The winger has a year left under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

The player's reaction when substituted in the second half suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him and justifiably, since it displayed a lack of respect for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived in a hostile world, and he feels that he faces opposition.”

Such thinking is tough to overcome, especially when you feel on the verge of the top star, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the key figure.”

“This season he's felt that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros for him and sell him.”

He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as expected – in Vinicius' head he says why single me out?’.”

“It will be difficult to reconcile between the club and the player currently.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

After winning all four of last season's derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Absences have deprived Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the approach isn't working in their absence.

Balague commented, “It's like the whole team are slightly off when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. Should the defense is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging those on the ball as well as they should.”

Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

“Their stars weren't at their best. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, maybe due to groin problems