The Madrid Giants Strong yet Vinicius Junior Strains Intensify – Key Clasico Takeaways
The match represented almost an ideal day from the Madrid side, who defeated their arch-rivals two goals to one during El Clasico and increase their lead in first place of La Liga to five points.
Bellingham scored his maiden domestic strike along with assist of the season following a tough few months coming back from shoulder surgery.
The French forward maintained his clinical form when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his first derby in the dugout proved perfectly.
But then the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.
Unhappy at coming off, the Brazilian winger protested on his way directly past his manager and stormed off the pitch, then returning on the sidelines several minutes.
Manager's Approach Delivers Results for Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, given that the majority of Madrid's previous eight managers were defeated in their first La Liga encounter with Barcelona.
After the laissez-faire style from the previous coach failed to get results last season, the new tactical system produced an important victory.
Spanish football analyst commented, His plan was perfect. The home side were impressive, while the visitors were off-color due to Madrid's tactics.”
Defensively, they pushed up consistently, and if they were beaten, they retreated in a structured manner, everybody even Vinicius.”
The team's shape in two layers separated by five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”
This approach appears to be beneficial for the midfielder, who in the past had been tasked to do everything in midfield and beyond.
On paper the young star was positioned on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to drift inward and either support Mbappe or enter the box.
The expert stated, “By using Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings increased movement and additional options to close down the channels.”
As a result them to deploy Jude on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to track Mbappe's movements on the ball and found openings, connecting with him repeatedly.”
“He was asked to enter the area and be around the outskirts of the area, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to cut off passing options creating Barca's task very difficult.”
Vinicius Tensions Revealed
Undoubtedly that the fans love Vinicius, his chant rang out repeatedly by an enthusiastic home supporters.
Yet multiple numerous stories lately that Real Madrid could entertain selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.
The winger has a year left on his contract come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
The player's reaction after coming off in the second half suggested issues. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.
Balague said, He will face backlash for good reason, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship for the substitute who came on for him.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
This mindset is difficult to shake, especially when you believe close to being number one in the world, but the team shifts the focus to Mbappe as the star.”
“This season he has perceived that Real Madrid has not supported him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid 250m euros to sign him and let him go.”
He is aware of this, so when he was taken off – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
Building bridges will be tough to reconcile with the club and the player now.”
Barca's Approach “Struggles”
Having triumphed in each of the last season's Clasicos, this outing highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have robbed the Barcelona coach of key players including the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system is not effective without them.
The analyst commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, softer to reclaim the ball.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. Should the defense is flawed, which was the case Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack failing to press opponents in possession as expected.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was kept largely in check.
Key players were below par. Lamine appears he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues