🔗 Share this article Los Blancos Strong yet Vinicius Strains Grow – Major El Clasico Takeaways It was nearly a perfect day for Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated Barca by a 2-1 scoreline in the famous derby to extend their advantage at the summit of La Liga to five points. The English midfielder scored his inaugural league goal along with assist of the season after a difficult few months recovering from surgery on his shoulder. The French forward showed his deadly touch when scoring, while Alonso's tactics in his inaugural Clasico as coach functioned like a charm. However the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront once more. Dissatisfied at coming off, the Brazilian winger ranted on his way straight past the coach and stormed down the tunnel, then returning on the sidelines later. Tactical Setup Gets Success from Bellingham In his first derby, Alonso did well, given that seven of Madrid's previous eight managers lost their debut league encounter against their rivals. After the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver earlier, the new tactical system yielded its first major result. Spanish football analyst commented, His plan was perfect. The home side were impressive, and the visitors didn't play well because of the home team's approach.” “Without the ball, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.” Their defensive setup in two lines spaced by five to 10 metres. Barca could not find a way through.” The tactical change appears to be positive for Jude, as he in the past had been tasked to carry the midfield in the center and more. Theoretically the young star played on the right, however he was allowed to move centrally and either assist the attack or crash the penalty area. The expert added, With Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings greater energy and better ability to close down the spaces.” As a result the team to position Jude wide right. Certainly he would have been asked to keep an eye on the forward's positioning in possession and had space, connecting with him a few times.” He was told to move into the penalty area and position himself near just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to block central spaces and cause Barca's task challenging.” Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare There's no doubting that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him was chanted multiple times by the passionate Madrid fans. Yet there have been various accounts lately that the club might think about allowing his departure if an attractive proposal was made. The winger has one season to go on his contract when this term concludes, yet discussions on a renewal have not progressed. The player's reaction after coming off late in the game suggested issues. After the full-time whistle, he was held back when he moved toward Yamal. The analyst said, Many will criticize him and rightly so, since it displayed disrespect for Rodrygo who came on for him.” However, from a young age, his life has been in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.” This mindset is hard to change, particularly since you believe near the top star, but the team redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.” Recently he has perceived that the club is not defending him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept an offer worth a quarter-billion euros to sign him and allow him to leave.” “He feels all that, and after the coach substituted him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.” Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge between the club and him now.” Barca's Approach “Falls Apart” Having triumphed in all four of last season's derbies, this outing highlighted Barca's shaky early form. Absences have left without the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup is failing in their absence. The expert said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to get the possession back.” “It's easier to attack them. If the defensive line is not organized, which was the case the first goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.” The young talent, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was kept largely in check. The big names weren't at their best. The youngster seems not he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems