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It was practically a perfect performance for Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated their arch-rivals 2-1 in El Clasico to stretch their advantage in first place of La Liga to five points.

Jude Bellingham scored his maiden league goal and setup this term following a difficult period coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe showed his deadly performance in front of goal, and the manager's strategy in his first Clasico in the dugout functioned brilliantly.

However the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront once more.

Frustrated with being substituted, the star forward complained as he walked straight past the coach before marched to the dressing room, then coming back on the sidelines later.

Tactical Setup Yields Results from Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, given that the majority of Real's previous eight managers lost their initial La Liga match with Barca.

Following the player-focused approach of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system yielded its first major result.

An expert commented, His plan was perfect. The home side were very good, while the visitors struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they pressed high consistently, and when bypassed, they fell back in an organised way, all players even the forward.”

“They defended with two banks separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition could not find a way through.”

The tactical change seems good news for Jude, as he in the past was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and beyond.

In the lineup the young star started wide right, however he could to move centrally and support Mbappe or enter the box.

The analyst added, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in the center, this provides more dynamism and better ability to shut down the spaces.”

As a result the team to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball and had space, and he found him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also came inside to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life challenging.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his name was chanted on several occasions by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.

Yet multiple various accounts over the past period that the club might think about selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.

Vinicius has one season to go on his contract come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled.

The player's reaction after coming off in the second half indicated strained relations. Post-game, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Yamal.

The expert noted, Many will criticize him and rightly so, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement who came on for him.”

“But since being a kid, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is difficult to shake, notably when you feel close to being the best player, and the organization drives the axis to Mbappe as the main man.”

Recently he has perceived that the organization has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open an offer worth a quarter-billion euros to sign him and let him go.”

He is aware of this, so when he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as expected – to him he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile between the club and him currently.”

Their System “Struggles”

After winning each of the last season's Clasicos, Sunday's performance represented their uncertain beginning of the season.

Absences have deprived Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and the tactical setup isn't working when they are missing.

The expert said, Barcelona appear lack sharpness when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. If the defensive line is flawed, as it wasn't the first goal as Balde kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack failing to press opponents in possession as expected.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was well contained.

“Their stars did not perform well. The youngster appears he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue