Real Madrid Impressive however Vinicius Junior Issues Escalate – Major Spanish Derby Takeaways
It was almost a perfect outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat Barca by a 2-1 scoreline in the famous derby to stretch their lead at the summit of La Liga with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham got his inaugural domestic strike and setup of the season following a tough spell recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
Mbappe showed his deadly form in attack, while the coach's game plan in his inaugural El Clasico as coach functioned perfectly.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.
Frustrated with being substituted, the Brazilian winger complained while walking right by his manager and marched down the tunnel, then reappearing on the sidelines several minutes.
Tactical Setup Yields Results for the Midfielder
As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, given that the majority of Madrid's recent managers lost their debut La Liga match with their rivals.
After the laissez-faire style under Ancelotti did not deliver in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced its first major result.
Spanish football analyst noted, “He got it spot on. Madrid were impressive, while the visitors were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
When not in possession, they pressed high consistently, and when bypassed, they retreated in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”
“They defended with two banks spaced by a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
This approach looks to be positive for Jude, who last season was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and additional duties.
Theoretically Bellingham played on the right, but actually he had the freedom to come inside and assist the attack or enter the box.
Balague continued, “By using the French midfielder in central midfield, it brings increased movement and better ability to block the channels.”
This led to the team to deploy Bellingham on the right flank. Undoubtedly he was instructed to keep an eye on the forward's positioning on the ball and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”
“He was asked to move into the penalty area and operate on just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and make the opponent's play tough.”
Strained Relations Revealed
It's clear that the fans love Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by a fervent home supporters.
However there have been various accounts over the past period that Los Blancos might think about letting him leave if an attractive proposal were to come in.
He will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, but discussions on a renewal have stalled.
Vinicius' behavior when substituted in the second half indicated strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.
The analyst said, He will face backlash for good reason, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship for the substitute who came on for him.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”
This mindset is tough to overcome, notably when you feel on the verge of the top star, and the organization redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”
“This season he has perceived that the organization is not defending him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth a quarter-billion euros to sign him and sell him.”
“He feels all that, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to mend relations among the parties and him currently.”
Their System “Struggles”
Following victories in each of the last season's matches, this outing represented their uncertain beginning of the season.
Fitness issues have left without Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and his system isn't working when they are missing.
Balague stated, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, which was the case the first goal as Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards not challenging opponents in possession adequately.”
The young talent, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was kept largely in check.
Key players were below par. Yamal appears he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue