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This proved to be nearly an ideal performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat Barcelona two goals to one in the famous derby and stretch the gap in first place of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder got his inaugural goal in the league along with setup of the season following a challenging few months healing from shoulder surgery.

The French forward showed his clinical form when scoring, and the manager's strategy during his debut El Clasico on the sidelines proved brilliantly.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question emerged again another time.

Unhappy at coming off, the star forward complained as he walked directly past his manager before headed to the dressing room, then coming back to the bench later.

Tactical Setup Yields Results for Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Madrid's recent coaches were defeated in their initial La Liga encounter with their rivals.

After the laissez-faire approach from the previous coach did not deliver in the previous campaign, his structured approach delivered an important victory.

Spanish football analyst commented, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid performed excellently, and the visitors struggled because of Madrid's tactics.”

Defensively, they applied pressure for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”

The team's shape in two layers spaced by 5-10 meters. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

This approach appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, who last season was expected to cover multiple roles in midfield and more.

In the lineup the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he could to come inside and support Mbappe or enter the box.

Balague added, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, it brings greater energy and more ways to block the channels.”

This led to the team to deploy Bellingham on the right flank. Undoubtedly his role included to monitor the runs of Mbappe on the ball and found openings, connecting with him repeatedly.”

“He was asked to move into the penalty area and position himself near just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and cause Barcelona's life very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his chant rang out on several occasions by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.

Yet there have been various accounts lately that Los Blancos might think about selling him should a suitable bid arrived.

Vinicius will have one season to go under his current terms come the end of the season, yet discussions on a renewal have stalled.

The player's reaction after coming off late in the game suggested strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The expert noted, He will face backlash for good reason, since it displayed a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”

However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, especially when you feel on the verge of the top star, then the club drives the axis towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he believes that the organization has not supported him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of 250m euros for his transfer and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, and after the coach substituted him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in his mind he says why always me?.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations among the parties and the player now.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

After winning each of the previous campaign's Clasicos, the latest display highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have left without Hansi Flick of important stars such as Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup is not effective when they are missing.

The expert stated, The squad seems are slightly off when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, like on the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates failing to press the ball-carrier as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was neutralized.

Key players did not perform well. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, possibly because of a groin issue