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It was practically an ideal performance for Real Madrid, who defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the Clasico to extend their lead at the top in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham scored his first goal in the league and assist this term following a challenging period recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe showed his lethal performance when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his first Clasico as coach functioned like a charm.

However the Vinicius Junior question emerged again yet again.

Dissatisfied with coming off, the Brazilian winger ranted as he walked right by the coach before marched down the tunnel, before coming back to the substitute area several minutes.

Tactical Setup Yields Positive Outcomes from the Midfielder

In his first derby, Alonso did well, considering seven of Madrid's previous eight managers were defeated in their first La Liga encounter with their rivals.

Following the player-focused style from the previous coach did not deliver last season, his structured approach produced an important victory.

Spanish football analyst commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were very good, while Barca didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, if overcome, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even the forward.”

Their defensive setup with two banks with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change appears to be positive for the midfielder, who in the past was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in midfield and additional duties.

In the lineup the young star started wide right, but in practice he was allowed to come inside and support Mbappe or enter the box.

Balague continued, Employing the French midfielder in the middle, this provides greater energy and better ability to close down the channels.”

This led to them to deploy Jude wide right. I'm sure his role included to monitor Mbappe's movements on the ball with room, and he located him a few times.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life tough.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, calls for him rang out on several occasions by the passionate home supporters.

However there have been numerous stories in recent months that Los Blancos would consider selling him should a suitable bid arrived.

Vinicius will have one year remaining under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

The player's reaction when substituted late in the game spoke of strained relations. Post-game, teammates intervened when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The analyst commented, Many will criticize him for good reason, since it displayed disrespect for the substitute who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed amid adversity, and he feels that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, especially when you consider yourself near number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the main man.”

Recently he believes that Real Madrid is not defending him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid 250m euros for him and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, so when the coach substituted him – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations among the parties and Vinicius at the moment.”

Their System “Struggles”

Having triumphed in each of the previous campaign's matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of their uncertain beginning of the season.

Injuries have robbed Hansi Flick of crucial contributors such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system is not effective in their absence.

The expert stated, Barcelona appear lack sharpness when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. If the defensive line is flawed, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal as Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by teammates not challenging the ball-carrier adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was well contained.

“Their stars did not perform well. Yamal doesn't feel like he's in good form, possibly because of injury issues