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It was nearly an ideal day for Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat Barca 2-1 in the famous derby to extend the gap at the summit in La Liga to five points.

The English midfielder scored his first domestic strike and setup this term following a tough period coming back from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe showed his deadly touch when scoring, while Alonso's tactics in his inaugural El Clasico on the sidelines functioned like a charm.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head yet again.

Frustrated at coming off, Vinicius complained while walking right by his manager and headed to the dressing room, before returning to the substitute area after a short while.

Tactical Setup Yields Results from Jude Bellingham

In his first derby, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Real's previous eight managers lost their debut La Liga meeting with Barca.

Following the player-focused approach under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered a significant outcome.

A specialist commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were very good, while Barcelona were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they pushed up for as long as they could, if overcome, they tracked back in an organised way, all players including Vinicius.”

The team's shape in two lines with a gap of a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

This approach looks to be good news for Bellingham, who last season was expected to carry the midfield in the center and beyond.

In the lineup the 22-year-old started wide right, however he had the freedom to come inside and either assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

The analyst added, With the French midfielder in the middle, this provides increased movement and better ability to block the channels.”

“That forced them to deploy Jude on the right-hand side. Certainly he would have been asked to monitor the forward's positioning when he had the ball and had space, and he located him on several occasions.”

He was told to get into the box and be around just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to block central spaces and make Barca's task tough.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, his name was chanted on several occasions by an enthusiastic home supporters.

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

The winger has a year left on his contract come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

His response when substituted late in the game indicated tension. When the match ended, he had to be restrained when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The analyst said, He will face backlash and rightly so, since it displayed a lack of respect toward his replacement taking his place.”

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

This mindset is tough to overcome, particularly since you feel near the best player, then the club drives the axis towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he believes that the club isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open an offer worth 250m euros for him and let him go.”

This affects him, so when Alonso subbed him – fairly, as he ceased tracking back as he should – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge among the parties and Vinicius at the moment.”

Barca's Approach “Crumbles”

After winning each of the last season's Clasicos, the latest display highlighted their uncertain early form.

Injuries have left without the manager of important stars including Raphinha, the striker plus others, and the tactical setup is not effective when they are missing.

The analyst said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. When the backline is not perfect, which was the case the first goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack not challenging those on the ball adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was kept largely in check.

“Their stars weren't at their best. Yamal doesn't feel like in top condition, possibly because of a groin issue